Finn Harps -v- Mervue United
Credit: Extratime Team (ETPhotos)
Finn Harps play hosts to Mervue Utd at Finn Park on Saturday in a game that has the added significance of Harps striker, Kevin McHugh, looking to make his 300th appearance for the club. Kick-off is 7.45pm.
McHugh will become only the ninth player in Harps history to have passed the 300 hundred mark in terms of appearances. Since making his debut in a 2-0 league cup victory over Fanad United in August 1998, McHugh has found the net an amazing 146 times in his 299 games to date giving him an average of one goal every two games. Only the legendary Brendan Bradley has scored more goals for the Donegal side and McHugh is again the club's top goalscorer this season with nine goals to date.
Mervue manager Johnny Glynn will be hoping his side can continue their recent good form by adding an eight win of the current league campaign. The Galway side have already defeated Harps twice this season having recorded a 2-1 league win at Fahy’s Field in May and also knocked them out of the EA Sports Cup at the end of March when an extra time Rory Gaffney penalty saw the home side advance at home.
Felix Healy’s side had a confidence boosting 2-0 victory away to Wexford Youths before the break courtesy of two Blaine Curtis goals. "It was an encouraging performance. Wexford had enjoyed a good 1-0 win against Waterford away and it could have been much greater than that margin. They were expecting something from the game with us and were surprised at how it turned out," said Healy.
Mervue will be boosted by the inclusion of James Casserley and John Mountney who both played for the Irish Under 18 team who defeated Wales 2-0 in an international friendly in Holyhead on Wednesday evening. Glynn will once again be without the injured Nicky Curran (knee), Damien O’Rourke (achilles), Dan Cunningham (hand) and Tom King (knee), while TJ Forde (knee) has also been added to the injury list. Glynn will also have to plan without striker Rory Gaffney who was snapped up by Limerick FC last weekend before the transfer deadline. Strikers Dave Goldbey and Michael Collins plus midfielder Noel Varley all return to the squad along with new signings goalkeeper Brian O’Donoghue and Etanda Nkololo who has signed from city rivals Salthill Devon.
Manager Glynn commented on Saturday’s game “Finn Harps have signed a lot of players in the last two weeks with the arrival of Gary Curran from Galway Utd and three players on loan from Sligo Rovers and that will have boosted their squad. It will be another tough game for us but we will be looking to build on our last two results and continue our unbeaten run.”
Harps manager Healy has been busy in the past two weeks and will be able to call on four new signings for the visit of Mervue as Gary Curran has joined from Galway United, while Mark McGoldrick, Barry O’Mahoney and Kevin Devenney have all joined on loan from Sligo Rovers. Paddy McLaughlin and Stephen O'Donnell also return to the squad but Ciaran Coll and Gareth Harkin miss out through suspension, while Packie Mailey remains sidelined.
Finn Harps
Injured: Packie Mailey
Doubtful: Stephen O’Donnell (hamstring)
Suspended: Ciaran Coll and Gareth Harkin
Mervue United
Injured: Nicky Curran (knee) and Damien O’ Rourke (achilles), Tom King (cruciate), Dan Cunnigham (broken bone), TJ Forde (knee)
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Referee: Darren Coombes (Dublin)
Paddypower odds: Finn Harps 6/5 Draw 11/5 Mervue Utd 2/1
Extratime prediction: A 1-1 score draw.
McHugh will become only the ninth player in Harps history to have passed the 300 hundred mark in terms of appearances. Since making his debut in a 2-0 league cup victory over Fanad United in August 1998, McHugh has found the net an amazing 146 times in his 299 games to date giving him an average of one goal every two games. Only the legendary Brendan Bradley has scored more goals for the Donegal side and McHugh is again the club's top goalscorer this season with nine goals to date.
Mervue manager Johnny Glynn will be hoping his side can continue their recent good form by adding an eight win of the current league campaign. The Galway side have already defeated Harps twice this season having recorded a 2-1 league win at Fahy’s Field in May and also knocked them out of the EA Sports Cup at the end of March when an extra time Rory Gaffney penalty saw the home side advance at home.
Felix Healy’s side had a confidence boosting 2-0 victory away to Wexford Youths before the break courtesy of two Blaine Curtis goals. "It was an encouraging performance. Wexford had enjoyed a good 1-0 win against Waterford away and it could have been much greater than that margin. They were expecting something from the game with us and were surprised at how it turned out," said Healy.
Mervue will be boosted by the inclusion of James Casserley and John Mountney who both played for the Irish Under 18 team who defeated Wales 2-0 in an international friendly in Holyhead on Wednesday evening. Glynn will once again be without the injured Nicky Curran (knee), Damien O’Rourke (achilles), Dan Cunningham (hand) and Tom King (knee), while TJ Forde (knee) has also been added to the injury list. Glynn will also have to plan without striker Rory Gaffney who was snapped up by Limerick FC last weekend before the transfer deadline. Strikers Dave Goldbey and Michael Collins plus midfielder Noel Varley all return to the squad along with new signings goalkeeper Brian O’Donoghue and Etanda Nkololo who has signed from city rivals Salthill Devon.
Manager Glynn commented on Saturday’s game “Finn Harps have signed a lot of players in the last two weeks with the arrival of Gary Curran from Galway Utd and three players on loan from Sligo Rovers and that will have boosted their squad. It will be another tough game for us but we will be looking to build on our last two results and continue our unbeaten run.”
Harps manager Healy has been busy in the past two weeks and will be able to call on four new signings for the visit of Mervue as Gary Curran has joined from Galway United, while Mark McGoldrick, Barry O’Mahoney and Kevin Devenney have all joined on loan from Sligo Rovers. Paddy McLaughlin and Stephen O'Donnell also return to the squad but Ciaran Coll and Gareth Harkin miss out through suspension, while Packie Mailey remains sidelined.
Finn Harps
Injured: Packie Mailey
Doubtful: Stephen O’Donnell (hamstring)
Suspended: Ciaran Coll and Gareth Harkin
Mervue United
Injured: Nicky Curran (knee) and Damien O’ Rourke (achilles), Tom King (cruciate), Dan Cunnigham (broken bone), TJ Forde (knee)
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Referee: Darren Coombes (Dublin)
Paddypower odds: Finn Harps 6/5 Draw 11/5 Mervue Utd 2/1
Extratime prediction: A 1-1 score draw.
About Terry Flaherty
Terry has been writing for Extratime since 2009 and is based out west in Galway covering Mervue United, Salthill Devon, and now this season the newly formed, Galway FC. Terry has written articles for many … View Full Profile