League Preview: Finn Harps -v- Dundalk FC

FINN HARPS

Finn Harps host champions Dundalk for the first time in nine years when the sides meet at Finn Park on Friday night (kick-off 8pm).

Harps will go into the game in buoyant mood having secured a late equaliser on Foyleside last Tuesday evening to prevent Derry City claiming the bragging rights from the north-west derby.

Sean Houston’s injury time header was enough to give Harps a point that they had seemingly surrendered two minutes from time following Rory Patterson’s seventh league goal of the season.

Ollie Horgan’s men had led the match for over an hour until Josh Daniels and Patterson struck in quick succession, before Harps got a deserved equaliser one minute into stoppage time to leave the Candystripes reeling.

The Harps manager came away from the match quite content with a point, having looked as if they would go back across the border with nothing to show for their exertions.

“2-1 down in injury time, we showed great character and resolve,” Horgan told the club's website.

“We went one more time and came up with the equaliser. We may not have the quality of players that they have, but we try to make up for that in other ways, as we showed with the equalising goal.”

Harps visited Dundalk two months ago in round two of the league, a week after winning their opening match against Derry and left Oriel Park having been on the end of a comprehensive 3-0 victory.

However, they did not disgrace themselves that night and Dave Scully and Ryan Curran both had chances to register for Harps which could have changed the pattern of the game.

Ahead of the Lilywhites' visit to Ballybofey, Horgan offered his typical approach to games, downplaying the abilities of his own side while offering a glowing appraisal of the opposition.

“Dundalk are the best team in the league and not too many have beaten them home or away in the last couple of years,” he said.

“It is a huge task to play Dundalk if you had a week to prepare for the game, but it makes it even harder with three days. That said, it’s the same turnaround for both teams and we’ll prepare as best as we can ahead of the game.”

DUNDALK

Two league titles in succession, FAI Cup, EA Sports Cup, Leinster Senior Cup, two Jim Malone Cup successes in the space of 19 months and four point clear at the summit of the league table this term, you would assume that all followers of Dundalk FC would be a blend of disbelief and ecstatic.

However, growing murmurs of discontent with “sub-par” performances and dropping attendance levels prove that not all Lilywhite supporters are feeling as happy with their side as they were six months ago.

Having exited the Leinster Senior Cup and EA Sports Cup in recent weeks, along with points being dropped untypically in Oriel Park, the mentality and hunger of the Dundalk squad was questioned.

However, one cannot argue with the fact that Dundalk are four points clear of Cork City in second place having lost only a sole league encounter all season. They have a 100% away league record and have Ronan Finn, David McMillan and Daryl Horgan in scintillating form.

It is scarcely believable how such a team could be criticised, but such is the fickle nature of success.

The Lilywhites march on to Finn Park on Friday night looking to extend their winning league run to seven games and in the process maintain their unbeaten away league record.

Stephen Kenny though is aware that his side will have to raise their level of performance if they are to win in Finn Park with Derry City and Bohemians among those who have dropped points in Donegal this term.

Kenny said: “Finn Harps have had a good season, they’ve picked up some good results this season and in particular some good results at home at Finn Park. We will have to raise our level. Our level of motivation is high going there.”

Andy Boyle has been a mainstay of the Lilywhites’ side since arriving at the club in 2013, and the vice-captain has also provided a stern warning that Finn Harps will be a difficult challenge of Friday evening.

Boyle said: “We had a really tough game against Finn Harps earlier in the season. I know we won but it was difficult to break them down and they were well organised.

“We know going up to Ballybofey that it will be a tough game. It’s a tough venue. They have a good record this season up there and we will have to be at our best to come away with the three points but we will be ready for it.”

Referee: Tómas Connolly.

MATCH FACTS

The two sides haven’t met in the top flight at Finn Park since May 1999 when Fergal Harkin’s goal ended Jim McLaughlin’s League of Ireland career with defeat and relegated Dundalk to the First Division for the first time in their history.

This will be the 35^th meeting of the sides at Finn Park. Harps have won 16, with Dundalk winning 10.

There have only been three draws in the last ten meetings of the sides since May 2006.

BETTING

Finn Harps 8/1; Draw 10/3; Dundalk 1/3.

PREDICTION

Finn Harps 0-2 Dundalk.

Finn Harps

Injured: Injured: Josh Mailey (groin), Raymond Foy (hamstring), Michael Rafter (ankle), Matthew Crossan (knee), Gareth Harkin (calf), Tony McNamee (hamstring).

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

Dundalk

Injured: Ciaran O’Connor, Ciaran Kilduff, Michael O’Connor, Stephen O’Donnell, Patrick McEleney.

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None.