League Preview: Finn Harps -v- St Patrick's Athletic

FINN HARPS

Friday night will see Harps try to extend their two-match winning streak at Finn Park when they welcome Liam Buckley’s St. Patrick’s Athletic to the north-west.

Harps built on their EA Sports Cup victory over Cockhill Celtic last week by defeating Longford Town 1-0 on Saturday night in blustery conditions in Ballybofey.

Top-scorer Ryan Curran’s second half penalty was enough to see Harps gain their first three points since the opening day of the season in an even and hard-fought game.

Finn Harps are well aware of the threat that the visitors will pose as they succumbed to a 6-1 defeat in Inchicore against St. Pat’s in the 2014 FAI Cup semi-final.

Although the complexion of the Dubliners has changed much since then, with a massive overhaul to Buckley’s squad having taken place, Harps boss Ollie Horgan still recognises the potency of Friday’s opposition.

Horgan said: “St. Pat’s are a top side and play excellent football. We need to be at our best to make it hard for them at least. However, if we perform like we did in the last half an hour against Longford that won't be good enough.

“Pat’s have serious quality all over the pitch from Brendan Clarke in goals to Christy Fagan up top. They have added the likes of David Cawley, Billy Dennehy and Mark Timlin, all top class, quick and exciting players.

“We know that we will have our work cut out to stay with them.”

ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC

Inconsistency has been the main hindrance to the Inchicore natives since they won the title in 2013.

2016 shows no promise of that trend changing, as to date they’ve won twice on the road against Longford Town and Shamrock Rovers, while surprisingly losing at home to Galway United and Dundalk, conceding seven goals in the process.

The south Dubliners impressed many by comfortably despatching capital rivals Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers in consecutive weeks, but last week’s devouring at the hands of Dundalk evaporated much of the optimism.

Going forward, Pat’s look very inventive with Mark Timlin and Billy Dennehy starting life with the club well. The return of Christy Fagan to full fitness also bodes well as he’s started the season so well that it already looks like a forgone conclusion that he will win the Premier Division’s Golden Boot award come October.

However, their frailty defensively has surfaced, particularly in home games. The robust central defensive duo of Shane McEleney and Darren Dennehy were ruthlessly exposed last week by Dundalk, who scored three of their goals by carving through the middle of the defence, with the other coming from a corner-kick.

Pat’s have a 100% record on the road this season to date and if they produce the type of performances that they fashioned in Tallaght and when hosting Bohemians, they should have enough for this dogged Harps side. However, anything else apart from their best and they could be waving the white flag in terms of challenging for league title honours already.

Referee: Ben Connolly.

MATCH STATS

Finn Harps haven’t beaten St. Pat’s in any competition since their 2001 Premier Division encounter in Inchicore where the Ballybofey men won 4-1.

Liam Buckley’s men have won eight out of the last 10 meetings between the sides, scoring 22 goals in the process.

Friday’s meeting will be the 60^th meeting of the sides with Pat’s holding the upper-hand in terms of victories (29-18) and goals scored (96-84).

BETTING

Finn Harps 4/1; Draw 23/10; St. Patrick’s Athletic 8/11

PREDICTION

Finn Harps 0-2 St. Patrick’s Athletic

Finn Harps

Injuries: Barry Molloy (knee), Sean Houston (hamstring), Josh Mailey.

Doubtful: Ciaran Coll, Ryan Curran.

Suspensions: None.

St. Patrick’s Athletic

Injuries: Jack Bayly, Conor O'Malley.

Doubtful: Unknown.

Suspensions: None.