Finn Harps -v- Athlone Town
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Athlone Town travel to Ballybofey to meet Finn Harps tomorrow night, a team they have failed to beat in County Donegal since October 1992. The two sides are currently in mid-table and Harps are the form side coming into this game; with 11 points from their last 15 to steer themselves well away from the bottom of the table.
Both had a break last weekend due to the heavy rain which fell across the country, and Harps also have another game in hand to come later in the season too. It was a draw between the two sides back an April, as Finn Harps came back from 2-0 down to share the spoils. Conor Gethins scored from the penalty spot deep into added time to give Harps a point.
Athlone boss, Brendan Place will have a very depleted squad making the trip to the north-west. Des Hope is suspended, while Tom O’Halloran, Noel McGee, Gary Murphy, Kevin Horan and Mick Byrne are all ruled out through injury. Goalkeeper Alex O’Reilly, Robbie Benson and Kevin Williamson will travel with the squad but will all undergo fitness tests prior to the game.
Meanwhile, James Gallagher will also be missing some key players. The long-term injured duo of Conor Gethins and Johnny Havlin are still missing, while Sean Houston is a doubt after he picked up a back injury. Michael Funston is suspended for the next two games for Harps, though there is some good news as Oisin McMenamin and Mark Forker return to the fold.
Extratime.ie Prediction: Another draw; 1-1.
Both had a break last weekend due to the heavy rain which fell across the country, and Harps also have another game in hand to come later in the season too. It was a draw between the two sides back an April, as Finn Harps came back from 2-0 down to share the spoils. Conor Gethins scored from the penalty spot deep into added time to give Harps a point.
Athlone boss, Brendan Place will have a very depleted squad making the trip to the north-west. Des Hope is suspended, while Tom O’Halloran, Noel McGee, Gary Murphy, Kevin Horan and Mick Byrne are all ruled out through injury. Goalkeeper Alex O’Reilly, Robbie Benson and Kevin Williamson will travel with the squad but will all undergo fitness tests prior to the game.
Meanwhile, James Gallagher will also be missing some key players. The long-term injured duo of Conor Gethins and Johnny Havlin are still missing, while Sean Houston is a doubt after he picked up a back injury. Michael Funston is suspended for the next two games for Harps, though there is some good news as Oisin McMenamin and Mark Forker return to the fold.
Extratime.ie Prediction: Another 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