Mervue United -v- Finn Harps

MERVUE UNITED

Mervue United will be looking to keep pace with the breakaway pack at the top of the First Division when Finn Harps visit Fahy’s Filed on Friday night. (kick-off 7.45 pm)

Last weekend Johnny Glynn’s side recorded a valuable away point with a scoreless draw at the RSC in Waterford. The home team were the better side and even had two goals disallowed through new signing Conor Meade but Mervue held on to remain in mid position in the league table.

The hosts must continue without Tom King and Barry O’Mahony who have just returned from Russia where the Irish University side finished fifth overall.

Stand-in skipper Paul Sinnott is a doubt but Glynn welcomes back Stephen Walsh to the centre of defence after missing three games through suspension.

The manager was fully aware that Harps would prove a stern test on Friday night.

“There is no doubt that Finn Harps have one of the best squads in the division and I still expect them to mount a challenge after a recent rocky patch. We will be looking to build on our recent two results and put a run together.”

FINN HARPS

Harps were heavily touted as potential promotion candidates at the start of the season but a series of defeats after the mid-season break has seen the Donegal side sink down the table.

Harps have only won once in their last seven league games. This poor form is in stark contrast to their record of one defeat in five up to mid May when they took the scalps of league leaders Longford Town, among others, and looked destined to land one of the promotion spots. 

Mervue went two up inside 25 minutes when the sides last met at Fahy’s field. It looked as if the home team would prevail on the night but Harps’ second-half comeback secured a 2-2 draw. The Donegal side don’t particularly enjoy coming to Galway as they’ve only managed two draws in six league games at Mervue’s ground.

Despite the poor run of form boss Peter Hutton remains convinced his side has been unlucky with chances and uncertainty surrounding players. Finn Harps have just signed Pat McCann, Lee Toland and Shane McGinty to the club while Marc Brolly, Thomas McBride, Matthew Crossan and goalkeeper Rory Kelly have all departed.

The heat on Friday will play a large part in the outcome of the match. Both sets of players might not be used to it and the conditioning and fitness of the players will tested to the limit.

Referee: Keith Callanan.

MATCH STATS

This is league meeting number ten between the sides. Mervue hold the edge with four wins from six at Fahy’s Field.

Harps’ record at the Galway venue is poor with only two points gained from a possible 27.

Sean McCarron, Kevin McHugh, Michael Funston, Keith Cowan and Thomas McMonagle are the only league scorers for Harps this season.

BETTING

Mervue United 5/4; Draw 9/4; Finn Harps 9/5.

PREDICTION

Mervue united 2-1 Finn Harps

Mervue United

Injured: None
Doubtful: Paul Sinnott.
Unavailable: Tom King, Barry O’Mahony.
Suspended: Joe Woods.

Finn Harps

Injured: Damien McNulty, Thomas McMonagle.
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None.