Shamrock Rovers vs Finn Harps

Shamrock Rovers welcome Finn Harps to Tolka Park on Friday night hoping they can overtake Drogheda United and move into 5th place in the eircom Premier League. (Kick-off 20:00).

Pat Scully's men lost to league leaders Bohemians in their rearranged midweek game, and Scully was disappointed for players and fans that they couldn't take anything from that game.

"I was devestated for the players and the supporters. It was a frustrating night as we had four chances from eight yards or less, while they were restricted to three long-range shots and scored twice.

"To be 2-0 down away to the league leaders and come back the way we did deserved something - but we didn't get it. It was disappointing but I'm still very proud of the players."

The game on Friday should be a game on paper Shamrock Rovers should win, but with an exhausting midweek derby game, Scully hopes his players will be up for it.

"With all due respect to Finn Harps, we're at home against a team that is in the bottom three, so the expectancy would be for us to win the game. But we will have to be careful.

"We will need to perform well, but we may also need to rest a couple of players after Tuesday's game to avoid the kind of fatigued display we had against Sligo on the back of the Pats' game."

In team news, Aidan Price (ankle) is out injured, while Sean O'Connor is suspended. Robbie Creevy is back in the squad, while Joseph Ndo (knee) may be available.

"Robbie's back at 100%," says Hoops' boss Pat Scully. "As for Joseph, well he's been training during the week and might be available to play. Everyone else is fine."

Galway United took a vital three points in Ballybofey last week, and Finn Harps boss Paul Hegarty will be looking for a positive reaction from his side on Friday night.

Hegarty again will have to shuffle the pack with Michael Funston having to sit the game out due to a one match ban. However, the Harps Manager will be able to recall veteran defender Declan Boyle and striker Stephen Parkhouse back into the squad after the missed the Galway game due to suspension. “It’s good to have the likes of Declan and Stephen back, but we’re missing a couple again which has been the story of our season”, commented Hegarty.

Aaron Labonte is nearing full fitness again and could be included in the squad. Davy Byrne, who has seen just thirty minutes of action since signing from Athlone Town last month, may shake off a hamstring injury and be available for selection. Cornelius Gallagher and Gary Beckett remain sidelined.

“We did not play at all against Galway and it was bitterly disappointing,” said Hegarty of last week’s home defeat.

“Shamrock Rovers have been picking up points of late but we shouldn’t be afraid of them. We did very well in the second half against them earlier in the season. I’ll be expecting the same again on Friday. It’s a massive game for us and we need to get something from it,” he said.

When Rovers visited Finn Park earlier this season, the sides played out a 1-1 draw. Padraig Amond opened the scoring for the visitors just after half-time before Conor Gethins scored an excellent equaliser on the hour mark. In the nine games since then, however, Harps have picked up just four points.

The game kicks off at 20:00.