Galway United vs Finn Harps

It was always destined to come to this. When the fixture list was drawn up at the beginning of the season, a quick glance at the closing battles revealed two potential relegation dogfights, Galway at home to Finn Harps and then away to UCD on the last day. Their fate now firmly in their own hands, Galway United and Finn Harps face the glare of the television spotlight on Friday night, with the most crucial 90 minutes of both club's seasons ahead of them.

The scenario is simple yet complex. A Finn Harps win sends Galway United down and makes Paul Hegarty's men overwhelming favourites to stay up. A Galway United win will move them into the safety zone ahead of a trip to the Belfield Bowl. A draw brings Cobh Ramblers firmly back into the mix, although they do face Cup finalists Bohemians and Derry City in their remaining fixtures.

So Jeff Kenna's men face a straighforward task or so it would seem. In the side's last encounter back in August, Galway pocketed all three points on the back of goals from Jay O'Shea and John Russell. United are unbeaten in 90 minutes against Harps in nine encounters, going back to the start of 2006. But, aside from that 2-0 triumph, they have only won on one other occasion, also in Ballybofey when Alan Murphy netted from the spot in 2006.

The other seven ties have all ended level, with Harps going on to win the two Cup encounters on penalties. Harps have a history of stubborn resistance in Terryland Park, with the last four games ending in score draws. Comebacks have been a feature of these draws, as the Donegal men have retrieved a two goal deficit on their previous two visits, as well as getting late equalisers on two occasions.

In fact its been nearly six years since the Tribesmen recorded a home win against Harps, coming as it did in the First Division play-off semi-final first leg in January 2003. So history weighs against Jeff Kenna's side who, up until Sunday's tame defeat by Derry City, had been the form team of the bottom four. But Finn Harps rocked the boat with their come from behind defeat of Drogheda United, producing their first win of the season against one of the top five teams (at the time) at the most appropriate occasion.

Harps have proven all season that they can match any of the bottom sides. 20 of their 28 point haul to date has come against either Cobh, UCD, Bray, or Galway, so they know how to come up with the goods when required. So to say this one is hard to call would be an understatement.

Galway were dashing and adventurous on their recent seven game unbeaten streak. Can they recreate this under the most stressful conditions? Can they keep Stephen Parkhouse, who has scored on his last two adventures in the West, under wraps? Or Conor Gethins, the nippy striker who has done likewise.

Free from injuries or suspensions, Kenna will stick with what has served him best, with Russell and O'Shea providing the creative influence behind Vinny Faherty. Alan Murphy, Iarflaith Davoren, Jesper Jorgensen and Derek Glynn provide options on the bench, but the question is whether Kenna will utilise them properly should the need arise. He has yet to make a tactical substitution before the 55th minute. With everything at stake on Friday night, hesitancy from the sideline could prove costly.

Paul Hegarty will be forced to make one change from last week as defender Mark Mukendi is suspended. They will more than likely opt to play Gethins in the hole behind Parkhouse, occupying deep lying Galway midfielder John Lester's space. Denying Jay O'Shea space will also be paramount to their cause as he caused Shaun Holmes untold problems in Ballybofey.

History suggests a draw but, at the end of the day, it's all about 23 men and a round ball filled with air for 90 odd minutes. They will write their own chapter of history. Come what may it will prove compelling viewing.

The 23rd man on Friday night is Ian Stokes. Kick-off is at the earlier time of 7.35 pm.