Preview: Galway United vs Finn Harps

Galway United take on Finn Harps for the first time this season on Friday night in a game of the utmost importance to both sides in their bids to avoid relegation. While Galway have shown signs of improvement since the arrival of Jeff Kenna, Finn Harps have struggled since their early home wins over Cobh Ramblers and UCD.

Without a goal since that joust with the Students, Paul Hegarty, serving the last of a four match touchline ban, needs to find a solution to their goalscoring woes. And quickly. Galway, having looked in the midst of a defensive crisis where goals were being handed on a plate to the opposition, have suddenly gone 210 minutes without conceding a goal. That the clean sheets occured in the Brandywell and Sligo should be even more of a confidence booster for Kenna's side.

Galway's penalty shoot-out win on Tuesday also displayed a depth of character in the squad that has been sorely lacking since the season began. Four of the six successful spot kicks were converted by players 21 or under, and a home quarter final would be just rewards for their efforts.

On the last occasion the two sides met, it was Harps who prevailed on penalties, knocking The Tribesmen out of the FAI Cup in the second round last year. The first game in Terryland was a depressing affair for the locals, as their side pressed the self-destruct button when cruising at 2-0. Conor Gethins led the Harps revival that day and, if he's on form, will pose a significant threat to the Galway rearguard who are not overly blessed with pace.

Forcing the pace at home is now Kenna's next challenge. They haven't led a game in the league all year, but will have to overcome that statistic on Friday if they are to close the gap on the three teams above them. The players confidence is rising, but do they have enough about them to push on from here. Finn Harps, after their run of results, will probably settle for a draw that will keep Galway adrift at the bottom. Questions of both sides remain to be answered. Who will provide them?

Kick off at Terryland Park is 7.45 pm.