League Preview: Sligo Rovers -v- Finn Harps

SLIGO ROVERS

Sligo Rovers will look to maintain their unbeaten start to the 2022 League of Ireland season as they welcome Finn Harps to the Showgrounds on Monday night (kick off 7.45pm).

If you asked Sligo Rovers’ fans where they thought they would be after four games this season, not many would have predicted an impressive third place with no defeats.

Having ground out two 0-0 draws in a row against Derry City and Dundalk, the Bit O’Red exploded into life against Drogheda United in Head in the Game Park last Friday. Goals from Lewis Banks, Jordan Hamilton and a sensational third from Will Fitzgerald in the first half meant Rovers headed west with three points in the bag.

Speaking to the club website ahead of tonight’s clash, manager Liam Buckley said, “We know the kind of test Finn Harps will bring.

“Ollie and the club have done a magnificent job recently, and they are getting better and better each year. They have had a lot of ins and outs in the off-season, like ourselves, and we’re expecting a difficult game.

“I was thrilled with the first half display on Friday night and pleased with how we did from a playing point of view with some nice attacking play.

It was important we saw the game out professionally in the second half and I thought we did that and were fairly happy with how the game went.”

In team news, a late decision will be made on goalkeeper Ed McGinty, after he missed the game away to Drogheda United through illness.

FINN HARPS

As Rovers remain undefeated, Harps will be looking to upset the apple cart in the North-West derby if they can pick up their first win of the season.

Harps currently lie ninth in the table, with their only points coming in a 0-0 draw at home to UCD, and a 1-1 draw with Bohemians in Ballybofey. Their most recent result was a 2-0 defeat away to St Patrick’s Athletic.

“We’ve had a very tough go at it in Sligo over the years and the way they’ve started the season things could go a similar way tomorrow night if we aren’t right,” said manager Ollie Horgan, speaking to the club’s media team.

“We’ve created chances in every game up to now but haven’t made them count. We’ll need to be more clinical sooner rather than later to get points on the board and keep touch with the clubs above us.”

Former Sligo defender Regan Donelon is a doubt for Monday’s clash, as are Rob Slevin, Nathan Logue, Ryan Connnolly and Elie-Gael N’Zeyi.

Referee: Ben Connolly.

MATCH STATS

The North-West derby is always a battle, and last season was no different. Johnny Kenny scored his first competitive senior goal for Sligo Rovers in a 1-0 win against Finn Harps in the Showgrounds early last season, before embarking on an impressive goal-scoring spree that saw him seal a move to Celtic.

The advantage stayed with Sligo, as they won 2-1 away in the following fixture. Romeo Parkes opened the scoring for Rovers but was sent off two minutes later. Tunde Owolabi equalised for Harps, but Lewis Banks volleyed home the winner in the second half.

The tide turned in the second half of the season, as Harps won in the Showgrounds. The 1-0 victory, courtesy of a Kosovar Sadiki header, came in the middle of Sligo’s mid-season slump, where they lost seven games in a row in all competitions.

As Rovers looked to secure European football for the second season running in the closing stages of the season, Harps were fighting to stay up. The final North-West derby in 2021 finished 2-2 but saw plenty of action. Sadiki was dismissed in the fourth minute, and Rovers raced into a 2-0 lead, with goals from Kenny and Niall Morahan. However, Harps never gave up, with Sean Boyd pulling a goal back on 86 minutes. Karl O’Sullivan (who has since joined the Bit O’Red) broke Sligo hearts in the 94^th minute as he slammed home an equaliser with the last kick of the game.

Of the four league fixtures played between Sligo Rovers and Finn Harps last season, a red card was shown in three of them, one for Sligo Rovers (Romeo Parkes), and two for Finn Harps (Mark Coyle, Kosovar Sadiki).

PREDICTION

Sligo Rovers 2-0 Finn Harps

Sligo Rovers

Injured: None

Doubtful: Ed McGinty

Suspended: None

Finn Harps

Injured: None

Doubtful: Regan Donelon, Ryan Connolly, Nathan Logue, Rob Slevin, Elie-Gael N’Zeyi

Suspended: None