Finn Harps -v- SD Galway

FINN HARPS

Finn Harps will be hoping to turn Good Friday into a great Friday by notching up their third win and third clean sheet in a row as they entertain SD Galway in Finn Park.  Harps took the three points on their travels last week when they won 2-0 away to Waterford United. 

That win in Waterford was their first win at the RSC in a decade and while Harps Director of Football Felix Healy was pleased with the win, he also saw room for improvement. “We played particularly well for about an hour,” said Healy, “and should have had the game well wrapped up going into the later stages.  We didn't punish them when we were really dominant at the beginning of the second half.”

The lengthy delay during the game due to the head injury to Harps goalkeeper Ciaran Gallagher did not help either side.  The game was stopped for twenty minutes as Gallagher was taken to hospital but thankfully he was released later that evening but will miss Friday’s game due to concussion.  “We expect Ciaran to be available for the Longford game next week, and I would just like to say a big thank you to everyone at Waterford for their assistance, particularly the medical staff and the club doctor.  They couldn't have done more for us,” said Healy.

The injury meant that 16 year old Shaun Patton came off the bench to go in goal and he saved a second half penalty to help Finn Harps get their first clean sheet of the league campaign.  “Patton showed tremendous maturity for such a young man,” said Healy.  “He is a terrific prospect.”

Healy was also effusive in this praise for Paul Simon Tracey, Shaun McGowan and manager Peter Hutton.  “Tracey showed in his two games that he is a very accomplished player with very good technical ability,” said Healy.  “Shaun McGowan was first class.  Peter has made a considerable difference and it's no coincidence that we have had two clean sheets in a row (including their 2-0 win over the Mayo League in the EA Sports Cup).  Just to have someone who can talk to a number of relatively young men is a great asset.”

Stephen O’Donnell will not be available long term for Harps due to a grade one medial ligament tear.  “Last week we learned we have lost Stephen O’Donnell for the whole season as a result of a cruciate injury and that’s certainly a blow,” said Healy.

SD GALWAY

SD Galway are still looking for their first win of the league campaign as they travel to play Finn Harps, a club they have yet to record a victory against.  The Galway side go into the game after a confidence building draw last week against Longford Town; the first points that Town who lead the First Division have dropped so far this season.  That draw was secured, coming from behind, thanks to Enda Curran who won and scored a second half penalty.  Their only other point this season has come against Salthill Devon having lost games to Athlone, Waterford and Limerick.

Brian Geraghty is Devon’s only injury doubt.  He picked up a hamstring strain last week against Longford and had to be substituted in the second half.  Paddy Quinlan and Brian Gaffney are both back in the Galway squad as are Timmy Molloy and Colm Horgan.  Molloy, who turns 18 on Saturday, and Horgan were unavailable last week as they were both on international duty with the Irish Secondary Schools team.  They were in the starting line up in the 1-1 draw at the RSC between the Ireland under 18 school team and the Scotland’s under 18 team. 

Referee: Darren Coombes

MATCH STATS

Finn Harps and SD Galway have played each other six times with Harps having five wins and one draw from the fixtures between the clubs.

SD Galway’s only time avoiding defeat to Harps was in April last year when the sides played out a 0-0 draw in Finn Park.

The sides last met in September 2011 with Finn Harps recording a 2-0 home win with Stephen O’Donnell scoring both goals.

BETTING

Finn Harps 8/15; Draw 11/4; SD Galway 9/2.

PREDICTION

Finn Harps 2-1 SD Galway

Finn Harps Injury News: Keith Cowan, Stephen O’Donnell, Ciaran Gallagher

Finn Harps Suspension News: None

SD Galway Injury News: Brian Geraghty (doubtful)

SD Galway Suspensions News: None