Finn Harps -v- Longford Town
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Top scorer and captain Kevin McHugh is the big absentee for Finn Harps tonight as the Donegal club host Longford Town in the replay of their FAI Ford Cup Third Round clash at Finn Park (7.45pm).
The experienced hitman sits out tonight's game through suspension having been sent off in the second-half of Friday's 0-0 draw at Flancare Park, something that is likely to open the door into the first XI for Garbhan Friel or Blaine Curtis, though Christy Connaghan could also be in line for elevation into the starting line-up for a game that sees Harps targeting just a second win of the season.
Friday's scoreless draw in Longford was the first time in 2011 that Harps have got a result on their travels and new manager Peter Hutton is hoping that his side can follow that up with a second win of the campaign on home soil to book a place in next Monday night's draw.
“It’s good to have a break away from the league, but we approach the games in the same way," said Hutton. "It’s very difficult to go to Longford and get a result - as our previous visits there in the past have shown us - and going down to ten men so early in the second half made it more difficult. We did well to keep ourselves in the Cup and hopefully we can build on that and progress to the next round on Monday.”
Harps have managed to keep clean sheets in two of their last three games, but without McHugh in attack their firepower will be significantly diminished for tonight's game. Conor O'Grady and Gary Whoriskey both miss out due to long-term injuries, with the home line-up not expected, McHugh apart, to deviate too much from the eleven who battled out the draw on Friday.
Longford are still without Michael Lee, Graham Dowling and Jacques Morley, while Cathal Brady's hamstring might not be risked and Thomas Hyland could return after missing Friday's game with a bug. Keith Gillespie also missed Friday's game and might not feature in Ballybofey.
“It’s another game we could do without after playing last Monday as well," Town defender Gary Cronin mentioned after Friday's game. "Having to travel up there for the replay is going to be tough. Hopefully we’ll go up there and get the win and be in the next round of the cup.”
Previous Cup meetings at Finn Park between these teams have been high-scoring affairs with Harps winning both. Harps won the October 1995 clash 5-2, while in 2000, after a 2-2 draw in Longford, Harps ran out 7-1 winners in Ballybofey. The suspension of McHugh, who was on target in that landslide win, ensures that the sides will be completely changed from that snowy night eleven years ago.
Finn Harps:
Injured: Conor O’Grady, Gary Whoriskey.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: Kevin McHugh.
Longford Town:
Injured: Michael Lee, Graham Dowling, Jacques Morley.
Doubtful: Thomas Hyland, Cathal Brady, Keith Gillespie.
Suspended: None.
Paddy Power Odds: Finn Harps 8/5; Draw 11/5; Longford Town 7/5.
Extratime prediction: Longford's injury problems hit them hard, but with McHugh suspended Harps' edge is considerably blunted. Don't be surprised if this clash goes the distance. Penalties to decide it.
The experienced hitman sits out tonight's game through suspension having been sent off in the second-half of Friday's 0-0 draw at Flancare Park, something that is likely to open the door into the first XI for Garbhan Friel or Blaine Curtis, though Christy Connaghan could also be in line for elevation into the starting line-up for a game that sees Harps targeting just a second win of the season.
Friday's scoreless draw in Longford was the first time in 2011 that Harps have got a result on their travels and new manager Peter Hutton is hoping that his side can follow that up with a second win of the campaign on home soil to book a place in next Monday night's draw.
“It’s good to have a break away from the league, but we approach the games in the same way," said Hutton. "It’s very difficult to go to Longford and get a result - as our previous visits there in the past have shown us - and going down to ten men so early in the second half made it more difficult. We did well to keep ourselves in the Cup and hopefully we can build on that and progress to the next round on Monday.”
Harps have managed to keep clean sheets in two of their last three games, but without McHugh in attack their firepower will be significantly diminished for tonight's game. Conor O'Grady and Gary Whoriskey both miss out due to long-term injuries, with the home line-up not expected, McHugh apart, to deviate too much from the eleven who battled out the draw on Friday.
Longford are still without Michael Lee, Graham Dowling and Jacques Morley, while Cathal Brady's hamstring might not be risked and Thomas Hyland could return after missing Friday's game with a bug. Keith Gillespie also missed Friday's game and might not feature in Ballybofey.
“It’s another game we could do without after playing last Monday as well," Town defender Gary Cronin mentioned after Friday's game. "Having to travel up there for the replay is going to be tough. Hopefully we’ll go up there and get the win and be in the next round of the cup.”
Previous Cup meetings at Finn Park between these teams have been high-scoring affairs with Harps winning both. Harps won the October 1995 clash 5-2, while in 2000, after a 2-2 draw in Longford, Harps ran out 7-1 winners in Ballybofey. The suspension of McHugh, who was on target in that landslide win, ensures that the sides will be completely changed from that snowy night eleven years ago.
Finn Harps:
Injured: Conor O’Grady, Gary Whoriskey.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: Kevin McHugh.
Longford Town:
Injured: Michael Lee, Graham Dowling, Jacques Morley.
Doubtful: Thomas Hyland, Cathal Brady, Keith Gillespie.
Suspended: None.
Paddy Power Odds: Finn Harps 8/5; Draw 11/5; Longford Town 7/5.
Extratime prediction: Longford's injury problems hit them hard, but with McHugh suspended Harps' edge is considerably blunted. Don't be surprised if this clash goes the distance. Penalties to decide it.
About Chris McNulty
Chris McNulty is one of extratime's Northwest correspondents, covering Finn Harps and Derry City. Has worked as a sports writer with the Donegal News since 2007. View Full Profile