Finn Harps -v- Mervue United
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Finn Harps entertain Mervue United on Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm), with the two sides looking almost certain to be destined for a finish in the bottom half of the table. 10th place Harps have won just twice so far and both of those wins came at home. Mervue, meanwhile, are four points ahead of the Donegal outfit and are currently in 7th place.
Last time out, Harps drew 0-0 with Longford Town. After the game, James Gallagher had this to say: “We started the game well and were probably the best side in the first half and I felt we could have went in at the break in front. We felt at half-time we needed to step it up in the second period, but it was Longford who done that and they controlled most of the game after the break. They had a great chance to win it at the very end, so all in all, a draw was probably a fair result.”
Mervue got the better of Limerick at Terryland Park last Saturday, with Alex Lee scoring the only goal just after the break. There was some bad news for Johnny Glynn though as there were a couple of more additions to a growing injury list. “The two injuries we picked up on Saturday night were unfortunate and have left us stretched to the limit. Mike Tierney went off with a serious groin injury which has been bothering him for a number of weeks and David O Dowd’s clash of heads has left him with a double break to this cheek bone,” said Glynn.
In total, there are half-dozen players out for the trip north. Noel Mc Donnell, Ger Mc Grath, Nigel Keady, Mixie Harty are all missing as well as the aforementioned pair of Tierney and O’Dowd. It means that Glynn will now have to draft in some players from the clubs underage setup. He said: “We will have to look at trying to bring a couple of the Under 16 squad with us which I didn’t want to do because they are now on their end of season break and that’s important for them to help recover from a long season. Harps in Ballybofey would be a difficult assignment at the best of times but with the squad so depleted it will be difficult to come away with a result."
It will no doubt be a very close encounter and James Gallagher also echo’s this sentiment. “This will be another difficult game for us. They are a strong physical side and Johnny Glynn has them well organised. They will be difficult to break down and will pose a threat to us. With home advantage though, we will be looking for the three points,” he said.
Gallagher will have to plan without the services of top scorer Conor Gethins. The striker will be ruled out for up to two months with a dislocated shoulder- the injury coming just a few days before he ties the knot. Ian Rossiter misses out through suspension, while Ciaran Gallagher is on International duty. Mark Mukendi still has a slight back injury and will need to prove his fitness.
Extratime.ie Prediction: A draw; 1-1.
Last time out, Harps drew 0-0 with Longford Town. After the game, James Gallagher had this to say: “We started the game well and were probably the best side in the first half and I felt we could have went in at the break in front. We felt at half-time we needed to step it up in the second period, but it was Longford who done that and they controlled most of the game after the break. They had a great chance to win it at the very end, so all in all, a draw was probably a fair result.”
Mervue got the better of Limerick at Terryland Park last Saturday, with Alex Lee scoring the only goal just after the break. There was some bad news for Johnny Glynn though as there were a couple of more additions to a growing injury list. “The two injuries we picked up on Saturday night were unfortunate and have left us stretched to the limit. Mike Tierney went off with a serious groin injury which has been bothering him for a number of weeks and David O Dowd’s clash of heads has left him with a double break to this cheek bone,” said Glynn.
In total, there are half-dozen players out for the trip north. Noel Mc Donnell, Ger Mc Grath, Nigel Keady, Mixie Harty are all missing as well as the aforementioned pair of Tierney and O’Dowd. It means that Glynn will now have to draft in some players from the clubs underage setup. He said: “We will have to look at trying to bring a couple of the Under 16 squad with us which I didn’t want to do because they are now on their end of season break and that’s important for them to help recover from a long season. Harps in Ballybofey would be a difficult assignment at the best of times but with the squad so depleted it will be difficult to come away with a result."
It will no doubt be a very close encounter and James Gallagher also echo’s this sentiment. “This will be another difficult game for us. They are a strong physical side and Johnny Glynn has them well organised. They will be difficult to break down and will pose a threat to us. With home advantage though, we will be looking for the three points,” he said.
Gallagher will have to plan without the services of top scorer Conor Gethins. The striker will be ruled out for up to two months with a dislocated shoulder- the injury coming just a few days before he ties the knot. Ian Rossiter misses out through suspension, while Ciaran Gallagher is on International duty. Mark Mukendi still has a slight back injury and will need to prove his fitness.
Extratime.ie Prediction: A draw; 1-1.
About Alan Smith
Alan Smith works as a sub-editor for the Guardian newspaper in London. Originally from Cork, he freelances for several other newspapers and websites. Follow him on twitter @alansmith90. View Full Profile