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

ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC

Finn Harps are the guests for St Patrick’s Athletic final home game of the 2021 league season as The Saints look to clinch second place.

The Inchicore side will be hoping for an improvement on last week’s 3-0 loss at the hands of Sligo Rovers with goals from Ryan DeVries, Johnny Kenny and Adam McDonnell the difference.

One point from their final two games will seal the runners-up spot for Pats but that loss means Sligo can still nick it.

Speaking to the clubs’ media team manager Alan Mathews said, "We've been at home a lot in the last couple of weeks and we want to really finish out on Friday with a positive performance and a positive result. It has been a long season and we want to round it off with a really good performance and a good result in our last home match.

"The points tally that the sides at the bottom end of the table, with the exception of Longford, has been incredible. On a couple of other seasons, it would probably be enough for mid-table.

“Finn Harps have a really good season. They'd a very strong start to the season and have picked up again recently. We found the games against Finn Harps difficult all season, both home and away, and Friday will be no different. They know what they have to do to avoid getting into that playoff spot.”

FINN HARPS

This game is arguably more important for the visiting side with Harps currently in 8th position and firmly locked in a battle to avoid the relegation playoffs.

They are level on points with Waterford and both sides coincidentally play St Patrick’s Athletic and Longford Town in their remaining games. Harps superior goal difference is an advantage but a positive result in Inchicore will go a long way to securing their top-flight status for 2022.

The Ballybofey men come into this game on the back of a 1-1 draw away to Derry City last Friday but are without a win since the 24th of September when they went to Dalymount Park and beat Bohemians 2-1.

Ahead of the game, manager Ollie Horgan told FinnHarps.ie, “Inchicore is probably second only to Tallaght in terms of tough places to go when you need a result. We’ll go there knowing we could really do nicking something but it’s a massive ask. They’ve been fantastic this season and beat us well on our last trip there back in June.

“The playoff battle will go down to the wire as I said from day one. We’ve had a very good season, but the reality in this league is that it’s so competitive and just because you’ve had a good season doesn’t mean you’ll still be in the Premier Division next year. ”

Referee: Neil Doyle

MATCH STATS

The Saints have edged it during their meetings this year. Goals from Matty Smith and Billy King in either half secured a 2-0 victory in April, while two goals from Ronan Coughlan and one each from Alfie Lewis and Robbie Benson meant they ran out 4-1 victors in June. Adam Foley netting Ollie Horgan's men consolation.

In the most recent matchup, in Finn Park in August Harps claimed all three points. Tunde Owolabi opened the scoring before a penalty from Chris Forrester restored parity. Owolabi hit back with two more to claim his hattrick and the Ballybofey side secured a much needed 3 points.

PREDICTION

2-2

St Patrick’s Athletic

Injured: John Mountney

Doubtful: Ben McCormack

Suspended: None.

International Duty: Vitezslav Jaros (Czech Republic U21s), James Abankwah, Kian Corbally and Sam Curtis (Ireland U19s),

Finn Harps

Injured: None.

Doubtful: Sean Boyd, Johnny Dunleavy, Shane McEleney, Jordan Mustoe

Suspended: Ryan Connolly.