League Preview: Cabinteely FC -v- Finn Harps

CABINTEELY FC

A seven-nil loss against Wexford Youths last time out leaves Cabinteely FC second from bottom in the League Of Ireland First Division after eight games played. Cabo had a problem in front of goal going into the game last Friday and now manager Eddie Gormley has a minus eleven goal difference following the heavy defeat.

Cabinteely FC are without a win since March. That last victory came at home in Stradbrook over the only team below them in the table, Waterford United. 

Unfortunately for Cabo, the fixture list doesn't get easier as this weekend they come up against a Finn Harps side who are riding high, five points clear at the top of the table.

At home Cabinteely has won twice and lost twice, and have conceded just three goals. But if home advantage is to count on Friday, front men Ger Pender and Shane O’Neill need to start finding the back of the net.

Midfielders John McKeown (2) and Conor Foley (1) have been among Cabo's goal scorers this season with Pender and O’Neil managing one league and one cup goal between them. Kick off at Stradbrook is 19:45.

FINN HARPS

Finn Harps travel to Stradbrook hoping to continue their quest for promotion having beaten Shelbourne one-nil at home last week. It was club captain Kevin Mchugh who scored the only goal at a rainy Finn Park in Ballybofey.

Harps manager Oliver Horgan has now three wins in a row and his side are the only unbeaten team in the division.

In complete contrast to Cabinteely FC, Harps have scored in all but one game; they only failed to score on their opening day trip to Shelbourne which ended 0-0. Despite their impressive form Harps boss Ollie Horgan has warned that Cabinteely will be looking to make amends against his side on Friday evening.

“Cabinteely was always a very difficult game and even more so after a defeat,” said Horgan. “Eddie Gormely and Dave Mackey will have them as always excellently organised and prepared and will have their homework done on us also.

“I think Kevin Knight missed last week for them and he will be a big addition to have back,” said Horgan of Friday’s opponents. “They also have players of the quality of Shane O’Neill, Ger Pender, Rob Maloney and Jamie McGlynn. It should be remembered that Cabinteely have already beaten Wexford and Waterford at home,” warned the Harps boss.

Finn Harps goalkeeper Ciaran Gallagher along with back four Damien McNulty, Keith Cowan, Thomas McMonagle, Ciaran Coll have together kept opposition strikers at bay with seven clean sheets out of 8 games played.

A sign of a great team is when your defenders manage to score, both McMonagle and Cowan have provided the squad with match winners against Wexford Youths and Athlone Town respectively.

Finn Harps have French striker Wilfried Tagbo available following his suspension last week.

Referee: Ray Matthews

MATCH STATS

Kevin Mchugh has scored 179 goals for Finn Harps.

Finn Harps striker Ruairi Keating scored both goals as Harps beat Cabinteely FC 2-0 when the sides met in March.

Cabinteely FC wore their blue strip for the first time against Wexford Youths last week.

The only time Harps have had a better record at this stage of a league campaign was in the 1972/73 season when they had seven wins and a draw to show from their opening eight league games.

BETTING

Cabinteely FC 6/1; Draw 5/2; Finn Harps 1/2 

PREDICTION

1-2

Cabinteely FC

Injured: None
Doubtful: None
Suspended: Kevin Knight

Finn Harps

Injured: None
Doubtful: Damien McNulty
Suspended: Packie Mailey, Brian McGroary