League Preview: Finn Harps -v- Wexford Youths

On Friday evening SSE Airtricity First Division leaders Finn Harps welcome third placed Wexford Youths to Finn Park for both sides final fixture before the mid-season break, kick off 20:00.

FINN HARPS

The home side head into Friday’s clash with Wexford Youths after suffering their first league defeat of the season, in a shock 1-0 loss on the road against Athlone Town.

Manager Ollie Horgan is fully aware that his side did not perform to their high standard which saw them win eight of their first twelve fixtures, drawing just four.

“We didn’t do enough in the whole game on Friday night to get anything out of it,” Horgan told Finnharps.com.  “We conceded from a corner kick which was disappointing but fair play to Athlone. We beat them earlier in the season from a corner kick also so we can’t complain.”

With the defeat last weekend Horgan will be hoping that his side can show great character and a battling spirit on Friday evening, however the Harps boss is fully aware that the qualities possessed within the Youths squad.

“I think the Wexford game was going to be a massive test anyway – whether our run continued or not,” he said.  “As I have said before, they have a bit of everything, good players that play good football, strong and they have a great spirit about them.

“We would need to be a lot better than last Friday to compete against them.  Wexford will be there or thereabouts at the end of the season as I have said since the start of the season.”

Despite knowing that victory on Friday would secure his sides’ top spot at the midway point, Horgan is aware that promotions are not awarded after 14 games.

“I don’t think it matters where teams are at this stage of the season,” Horgan explained. “It only matters at the end so I will reserve judgement on our season till then.”

WEXFORD YOUTHS

Wexford Youths make the 377 kilometre trip to Finn Park with aims of securing back to back victories after Shane Keegan’s side returned to winning ways against Athlone Town on Tuesday night in a rearranged fixture, thanks to goals from Conor English and Craig McCabe.

Youths boss Keegan will be pleased to see his side ending a run of three defeats in, a 2-0 FAI Cup second round loss against Cork City sandwiched in between consecutive league defeats away to UCD 4-1, while on Friday evening they suffered a 3-2 defeat at home to Shelbourne.

Despite Youths secured victory against Athone on Tuesday evening, manager Keegan explained to WexfordYouthsfc.ie that his sides’ performance was below his expectations but sometimes grinding out a result gave him more satisfaction.

“We didn't perform against Athlone but came out with the win. Sometimes winning games when you play bad is oddly more satisfactory than when you win comprehensively like we have over Cabinteely recently.”

With the original fixture between Youths and Athlone been abandoned due to a generator fire in Ferrycarrig Park, Youths have found themselves playing three games in seven days, which in turn has taken its toll on their squad with a number of key players doubtful, due to the reduced recovery time between games.

Although having come out on the wrong end of a 1-0 defeat when the sides last met, the Youths boss explains that his Wexford squad will be highly motivated to leave Finn Park with all three points.

“Having played every team in this division, it's clear that there isn't any one team way better than anyone else in this league. Finn Harps might be top of the league but we're travelling to Finn Park with absolutely no fear.”

Referee: John McLoughlin

Match Stats

In their fourteen previous visits to Ballybofey, Wexford Youths have left Finn Park with points on nine occasions, 4 wins and 5 draws.

Thomas McMonagles scored the games only goal to give Finn Harps a victory when the sides met on March 18 at Ferrycarrig Park, the victory secure Harps only their third victory against Youths in 14 meetings. Two of these had come in the FAI Cup

Wilfried Tagbo was sent off when the two sides met in Ferrycarrig Park, he was the 13th Finn Harps player to be sent off since Youths introduction to the First Division in 2007.

BETTING

Finn Harps 6/4, Draw 11/5, Wexford Youths 8/5.

PREDICTION

Finn Harps 2-2 Wexford Youths.

Finn Harps

Injured: Ruairi Keating, Brian McGroary.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Damien McNulty, Raymond Foy.

Wexford Youths

Injured: Conor Whittle, Dean Broaders.

Doubtful: Peter Higgins, Craig Wall, Eric Molloy and Danny Furlong.

Suspended: None.