Mervue United -v- Finn Harps

In the only game that doesn’t have any consequences for either top or bottom of the First Division, Mervue Utd will host Finn Harps in their final game of the season at Fahy’s Field on Saturday evening.   (Kick-off, 7.45 pm)

Johnny Glynn’s side will be looking to put a run of four defeats behind them and end the season on a winning note as they sign off what has been a respectable third campaign for the Galway side. Seventh place is still a possibility for the home side depending on Athlone Town’s result against Monaghan Utd, so Glynn’s side will be focused on all three points.

Glynn will be without defender Damien O’Rourke (achilles), while both Peter Dravins and John Mountney are very doubtful having missed the last couple of games with injuries. Young defender James Casserley also sits out the final game through suspension having reached four yellow cards.

Finn Harps go into their final fixture of the season on the back of a heavy 4-0 defeat at the hands of Shelbourne at Tolka Park on Tuesday night but they had inflicted a 4-1 defeat on Wexford Youths last Saturday night prior to that. With nothing at stake for the Donegal side manager Peter Hutton has chosen to experiment with his side as they tried out different things in their remaining games with a view to next season.

On Tuesday’s defeat club Director of Football Felix Healy commented “We wanted to see how the players reacted and although it’s not pleasant to lose by four, we learned a great deal about how certain players handled the situation. This time next year we probably won’t be playing the same way but we are trying different things at the moment”.

“We have no injuries or suspensions so we will have probably a fully fit squad to choose from for the last game and that’s not something we’ve always had the pleasure of with exams and college and players working or whatever. We managed to get Packie Mailey and James Doherty on against Shelbourne as neither is 100 per cent but it was good to get them back. We’ll make a change or two against Mervue.”

Mervue do hold the upper hand between the sides this season having recorded two victories over Hutton’s side in the league and EA Sports Cup but Harps did win the last league meeting 2-0 at Finn Park back in August with goals from debutant Kevin Devaney and Blaine Curtis.

The two fixtures beforehand concluded in wins for Mervue as Rory Gaffney’s extra-time penalty in March ended Harps involvement in the EA Sports League Cup, while Tom King scored twice, either side of a Marc Brolly goal, in the previous league meeting at Fahy’s Field in May.

Mervue United:

Injured: Damien O’Rourke (Achilles)

Doubtful: Peter Dravins, John Mountney.

Suspended: James Casserley

Finn Harps:

Injured: None

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

Referee: Alan Sherlock (Meath).

Paddy Power Odds: Mervue Utd 5/4, Draw 9/4, Finn Harps 7/4.

Extratime prediction: A 2-1 home win.