Finn Harps -v- Waterford United

FINN HARPS

Finn Harps will be hoping for a form of a resurrection against Waterford United at Finn Park. Having lost four games on the trot, Harps have parted company with Director of Football Felix Healy after last week’s 3-0 defeat away to Wexford Youths. U19 Manager Sean McGowan has come to the fore to assist Peter Hutton with first team duties for the foreseeable future.

Harps will be without their two leading marks-men, Kevin McHugh and Adam Clarke, through suspension after both were dismissed at Ferrycarrig, and are left with only one natural striker in Blain Curtis. Harps also remain without long-term absentees Keith Cowan and Stephen O’Donnell.

Hutton is expected to include a number of Under 19 players, with the likes of Shane McGinty, Gary Merritt and Jordan Duffy all available for selection.

Speaking on Healy’s departure, Hutton said: “In terms of the football club, the management structure has lost its director of football but myself and Sean (McGowan) will continue.  It was strange but that’s football.

“They’ve been a bit hit and miss but there’s no doubt they’ll be tough to beat,” said Hutton of this week’s opponents.  “They have quality players with the likes of Gary Dempsey and Sean Maguire, who is reportedly attracting a lot of interest across channel.

“We just have to continue to work hard and hopefully we’ll get that bit of luck that has so far deserted us.”

WATERFORD UNITED

Waterford United travel to Finn Park, hoping to get back to winning ways after losing at home in their last game. Last week’s 2-0 defeat at the hands of league leaders Longford Town at the RSC brought to an end an impressive run of form that had the Blues sitting in third spot.

The Suirsiders will also be looking to avenge a 2-0 home defeat at the hands of the Donegal outfit back at the end of March, and are fortunate to have a full squad to choose from, apart from Willie John Kiely who is recovering from a dislocated elbow.

Top scorer Sean Maguire is tipped to start up front, having notched up four goals this campaign. The youngster had a recent trial with Charlton Athletic, and is being touted as one of the upcoming stars of Irish football.

Speaking after the Longford defeat, manager Paul O’Brien said: “I’ve no idea how we lost that match. [We] had great chances to score before they did. We knew that Longford would be busy in the middle of the park and that is how things panned out. We will have to lift ourselves now for the game against Finn Harps. We have come back from poor results this season, and now we will have to do that once again in Donegal.”

Referee: Phil Caschera.

MATCH STATS

Ciaran Gallagher is expected to play his second game since this fixture earlier in the season in which he suffered a hairline fracture to his skull.

Waterford’s last win at Finn Park came in April 2009, and they have lost exactly half of the encounters between the sides in Ballybofey.

Waterford striker Peter Keegan is currently studying in Genessee Community College in New York.

BETTING

Finn Harps 11/5, Draw 11/5, Waterford United 11/10.

PREDICTION

Finn Harps 2-1 Waterford United.

Finn Harps Injured: Stephen O’Donnell, Keith Cowan.

Finn Harps Suspended: Adam Clarke, Kevin McHugh.

Waterford United Injured: Willie John Kiely.

Waterford United Suspended: None.