Finn Harps -v- Sporting Fingal
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Finn Harps welcome Sporting Fingal to Ballybofey on Saturday night, hoping to stretch their unbeaten league run to five games. (Kick-off 20:00). Fingal will be hoping their winning streak can extend to five games on their first ever trip to Donegal.
Harps have now earned eight point from twelve available and manager James Gallagher was particularly pleased with the point picked up two weeks ago against UCD.
“It was a decent result and a case of a job well done. It was a ‘must not lose’ game for us and we wanted to go into the break with a satisfactory result. The players did everything we asked of them and despite them being on top of the table going into the game, I felt we matched UCD throughout the game.”
Gallagher is under no illusions though that they will face a very tough game against Fingal but he is confident his men will put it up to the Dubliners.
“This is going to be a very tough game for us. On paper, they have the best squad in this Division and we need to stay in the game for as long as possible and play with plenty of energy and enthusiasm. We are a bit stretched in terms of numbers for this weekend and this has hampered our preparations this week. However, we will not be using this as an excuse and the eleven players who play on Saturday will know exactly what is expected of them.”
In Harps teams news, Michael Funston returns after missing the 1-1 draw against UCD a fortnight ago through suspension. However, Gallagher has a number of absentees. Conor Gethins and Johnny Havlin are missing through injury, Marc Brolly is suspended while Oisin McMenamin and Mark Forker are both on duty with the Irish team at the World University Games in Belgrade. Goalkeeper Gavin Cullen is also unavailable while Ruairi Harkin has returned to Derry City after his loan spell ended.
Recent Fingal results have put them back on track to challenge after going slightly wayward in May, drawing with Limerick and Mervue before losing to Sligo in the EA Cup and getting a hammering at home to Waterford.
Three successive one-nil victories in the league, coupled with the win at Blarney United in the FAI Ford Cup, has pleased manager Liam Buckley.
“We’re in good shape heading into the second part of the season,”
“The lads are refreshed after having a bit of time off last week but, like me, they are looking forward to resuming fixtures. A few recent results have kept us in contention for promotion and it’s essential we concentrate on the task ahead and apply ourselves properly in every game, starting at Finn Harps.
“They have just come off the back of a decent one-all draw at title challengers UCD and the players will be focussed on impressing their new manager James Gallagher.”
Fingal will be without experienced defenders Shaun Maher (foot) and Stephen Paisley (ankle), both still at least three weeks away from returning to action. Centre-back Gareth Whelan is suspended for the clash. Also sitting this one out for incurring bookings in four games is midfielder Shaun Williams. Robbie Doyle’s ongoing knee problem makes him a doubt.
Central defender Philip Byrne is available again following a calf injury, while Buckley’s attacking options are boosted by the return of striker Daniel Corcoran from a hamstring strain.
Extratime.ie Prediction: Sporting Fingal to win out by 3-1.
Harps have now earned eight point from twelve available and manager James Gallagher was particularly pleased with the point picked up two weeks ago against UCD.
“It was a decent result and a case of a job well done. It was a ‘must not lose’ game for us and we wanted to go into the break with a satisfactory result. The players did everything we asked of them and despite them being on top of the table going into the game, I felt we matched UCD throughout the game.”
Gallagher is under no illusions though that they will face a very tough game against Fingal but he is confident his men will put it up to the Dubliners.
“This is going to be a very tough game for us. On paper, they have the best squad in this Division and we need to stay in the game for as long as possible and play with plenty of energy and enthusiasm. We are a bit stretched in terms of numbers for this weekend and this has hampered our preparations this week. However, we will not be using this as an excuse and the eleven players who play on Saturday will know exactly what is expected of them.”
In Harps teams news, Michael Funston returns after missing the 1-1 draw against UCD a fortnight ago through suspension. However, Gallagher has a number of absentees. Conor Gethins and Johnny Havlin are missing through injury, Marc Brolly is suspended while Oisin McMenamin and Mark Forker are both on duty with the Irish team at the World University Games in Belgrade. Goalkeeper Gavin Cullen is also unavailable while Ruairi Harkin has returned to Derry City after his loan spell ended.
Recent Fingal results have put them back on track to challenge after going slightly wayward in May, drawing with Limerick and Mervue before losing to Sligo in the EA Cup and getting a hammering at home to Waterford.
Three successive one-nil victories in the league, coupled with the win at Blarney United in the FAI Ford Cup, has pleased manager Liam Buckley.
“We’re in good shape heading into the second part of the season,”
“The lads are refreshed after having a bit of time off last week but, like me, they are looking forward to resuming fixtures. A few recent results have kept us in contention for promotion and it’s essential we concentrate on the task ahead and apply ourselves properly in every game, starting at Finn Harps.
“They have just come off the back of a decent one-all draw at title challengers UCD and the players will be focussed on impressing their new manager James Gallagher.”
Fingal will be without experienced defenders Shaun Maher (foot) and Stephen Paisley (ankle), both still at least three weeks away from returning to action. Centre-back Gareth Whelan is suspended for the clash. Also sitting this one out for incurring bookings in four games is midfielder Shaun Williams. Robbie Doyle’s ongoing knee problem makes him a doubt.
Central defender Philip Byrne is available again following a calf injury, while Buckley’s attacking options are boosted by the return of striker Daniel Corcoran from a hamstring strain.
Extratime.ie Prediction: Sporting Fingal to win out by 3-1.
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