Cork City vs. Finn Harps

Finn Harps continue their quest for Premier Division survival when they make their longest trip of the year to take on Cork City at Turners Cross on Friday evening (kick-off 7.45pm). These two teams come together in a game which means a lot more to one side than the other, as the hosts would be quite happy if the season ended here.

This game really doesn’t mean a whole lot to the home side and Alan Matthews will hope his already depleted squad doesn’t get any thinner before Tuesday nights trip to the Brandywell. City have defeated Paul Hegarty’s side on their two previous meetings this season, and recorded a 3-0 win when the sides met at Turner’s Cross in April.

City boss Alan Mathews told CorkCityFC.ie: “Harps are fighting to maintain the Premier Division status which they fought so hard to get last season, and it is extremely tight at the bottom of the table. Harps had built up a bit of a cushion over the past few weeks, which should help them greatly in their bid to stay in the division, but then last week all the sides below them won, which has closed the gap once again.”

Cillian Lordan is on his way back to fitness but still won’t start. Defenders Dan Murray and Danny Murphy are ruled out due to suspension while Colin Healy and Denis Behan have suspensions but would have missed the game anyway thanks to shoulder injuries.

Harps have everything to play for though in the struggle to stay in the top division. Paul Hegarty will be without the services of Jonathan Minnock, who is out with a groin injury. Harps have doubts over the fitness of striker Stephen Parkhouse and defender Shaun Holmes who are struggling with hamstring and ankle injuries respectively. Davy Byrne is still doubtful having missed the last three games because of a thigh injury. While Cornelius Gallagher remains a long term absentee for the Donegal side.

Speaking ahead of the game Hegarty said: “We are going down to win and take it from there. Nothing has really changed at the foot of the table. UCD, Cobh and Galway have all narrowed the gap but I have always felt it is going to go down to the last game. Our destiny is in our own hands and all we can do is to go out and play our own game and hopefully get the results, starting this weekend.”

ExtraTime.ie Prediction: Both sides are without a host of players and it could be a poor game at Turners Cross tomorrow night. Conditions haven’t been great down on Leeside the past week and if the rain decides to re-appear at kick-off time we will not be treated to much of a spectacle. A draw looks good, 0-0 or 1-1 if we’re lucky.