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

ST PATRICKS ATHLETIC

The Saints really enhanced their prospects of a top four finish when they travelled to Dalymount Park last Monday night and came away with all three points.

That 3-1 win, which shortly after precipitated the departure of Keith Long as manager of Bohs, pushed them up to 45 points and leaves them only four points the second and third placed teams Derry City and Dundalk.

Tim Clancy’s side faces all three teams above them once more before the league concludes and those matches will have a major bearing on the final make up of the top four slots.

“After getting a taste for European football, we are desperate to play on that stage again next season,” said Clancy. “By winning our last three league games, we have done our ambitions a power of good. 

“The victory over Sligo was particularly pleasing as it came just a couple of days after the disappointment of going out of the Europa Conference League. 

“We followed that up with a solid 2-1 victory against a highly motivated UCD team. Monday's victory against Bohemians was important for various reasons, not least because it was a Dublin derby and we all want to come out on top in a derby. 

“There was plenty to enthuse over in the performance at Dalymount Park, not least our energy levels, willingness to stick to the game plan and desire to get there first in 50-50 situations. We were good value for the win.”

The Saints face a Finn Harps side this Friday night who are fighting a battle of their own at the other end of the table; Finn Harps are currently in ninth place, two points ahead of bottom side UCD, so in theory at any rate this is a game the home team will be expecting to bag another three points in.

Richmond Park legend Ian ‘Bermo’ Bermingham announced during the week that he will leave the club at the end of the season, ending a remarkable 13-year spell with the Inchicore club.

The left back, who is 33, joined the Saints in 2010 and has represented the club 452 times to date.

FINN HARPS

Ollie Horgan’s side have nine games left in their season in order to avoid the automatic drop down to the First Division. They are competing with fellow relegation contenders UCD in their attempts to remain in the top flight for next season and hold the slight advantage of two points ahead of their rivals heading into this weekend’s series of games.

Their recent form has been good with two wins from their last three matches, and goalscoring has not been a problem of late as they have netted seven goals in those three outings.

They put three goals past Drogheda away, Filip Mihaljevic and Eric McWoods (2) were on target and although they lost 2-1 away to UCD, they then bounced back well to defeat Sligo Rovers 3-2 at home.

Barry McNamee, Ryan Rainey and Ryan Connolly scored in that North West derby although Connolly was subsequently red carded and will miss out on the clash against St Pats.

The club’s Assistant Manager Gavin Dykes spoke to FinnHarps.ie in advance of the game and said “We’d a vital win in our last game against Sligo and we probably could have done without the week off in a lot of ways to try and maintain that momentum. Regardless, we are where we are and we need to be pushing for results in every game from now to November to give us a shout of remaining in the league.

“St. Pats have been excellent in recent weeks. They were flying in Europe and were desperately unlucky not to progress against Sofia. They carried that form into the league since and will be eager to cement their place in the top four and keep the pressure on Dundalk above them.”

In team news David Webster misses out through injury, while Filip Mihaljević, Regan Donelon, Ethan Boyle and Rob Jones are doubts. Ryan Connolly and Ryan Rainey are unavailable through suspension, along with Ollie Horgan who will be forced to watch from the stands.

Referee: Ray Matthews

MATCH STATS

Finn Harps have had 12 different goal scorers in this 2022 league campaign with Eric McWoods and Filip Mihaljevic joint top scorers with five apiece.

14 of the St. Patrick’s Athletic squad have found the net in league matches this season with Eoin Doyle leading their goal scoring chart with ten strikes, well ahead of his nearest challenger Billy King on four goals. Darragh Burns also had four goals to his credit before being transferred to MK Dons in July.

BETTING

St Patricks Athletic 8/15; Draw 3/1; Finn Harps 5/1

PREDICTION

St. Patrick’s Athletic 2-0 Finn Harps

St. Patrick’s Athletic

Injured: Adam Murphy

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

Finn Harps

Injured:  David Webster

Doubtful: Filip Mihaljevic, Regon Donelon, Ethan Boyle, Rob Jones

Suspended: Ryan Connolly, Ryan Rainey , Ollie Horgan (Manager)

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