Finn Harps v Cobh Ramblers

FINN HARPS

A 10-man Finn Harps side needed a late goal from Sean McCarron last week to pick up their first points of the season in a 1-1 draw with Waterford United.

With a real feel-good factor having returned to Finn Park, manager Peter Hutton is hoping that the supporters will come out to give his side a real backing and help them over the course of the season, starting with their first home game against Cobh.

He said: “Any player will tell you how much better it is to play in front of a good crowd. It is extremely difficult to try and recreate the buzz and atmosphere when Finn Park is packed with supporters. This group of players are working tirelessly in an effort to get this great club back to where it belongs but they too need help and they need that extra man on the terraces showing them that their endeavours and sacrifices are not been wasted and that the Finn Harps faithful, and indeed the entire local footballing fraternity, support them and acknowledge the commitment these players are demonstrating for their club.”

Hutton also acknowledged that while he knows that people are feeling the strain during the current economic climate, he hopes his side will receive that backing they crave from the stands over the course of the coming campaign.

“I fully appreciate and understand the difficulties people face in the current economic climate but maybe even attending a Harps game will provide a positive distraction for some people,” he continued. “Real football fans long for something to support and become involved in and we understand that so as a group, we are working tirelessly to provide a team the community can be proud of and entrust to match their passion and ambition but we can’t do it alone, we need support and we need people to realise that this young team needs encouragement and belief in them.”

He concluded by urging fans again to really come out and experience the atmosphere of a live encounter because it is beneficial for everyone involved: “No matter who you are or what you do in life, we all respond better to encouragement and if we as a whole can embrace the same passion and desire shown by these players and recreate it in the stands then I’ve no doubt this club will take some stopping. So in a nutshell, we need our true supporters to come out in their droves this Friday and show their support and I’d even encourage lapsed supporters to dust off their old scarves and hats and get out and watch a live game and experience the roller coaster of what it is to be a real football fan again.”

Speaking about the game last week, Hutton also said that he felt it was an important point gained with a positive performance and also gave his thoughts on a Cobh side who he believes will surprise many this season.

“I thought Friday night’s result was a positive one considering we only really played for 45 minutes. In the first half we looked nervous and edgy and we looked the same in training that morning in which again we appeared a little anxious,” said Hutton. 

“Because of this we lacked composure and made some silly mistakes which unfortunately we got punished for and could have even fell further behind, so I was happy to get to half-time still in the game knowing we could regroup and change a few things. In the second half we were much better and dominated possession.  I thought Shaun McGowan and Tommy McBride were excellent and their drive and industry got us back into it. Sean McCarron also did well and helped provide more options in the final third. 

“I spoke to the boys at half-time about taking more responsibility and displaying more character particularly when in possession and they certainly did that in the second half and were fully deserving of the equaliser.  We nearly sneaked the win with Kevin McHugh’s free kick hitting the post in the final seconds but if I’m honest a draw was a fair result on the 90 minutes.

“I fully expect Cobh to be dark horses this year and will do a lot better than what many people predicted,” said Hutton of Friday’s visitors,” the Harps manager continued. “Dave Hill is a shrewd manager who will have them extremely well organised and disciplined defensively so will give very little away but they also possess a real goal threat in Conor Meade and Davin O’Neill.  Cobh have recruited very well in the off season with experienced League of Ireland campaigners returning to the fold and that matched with some talented young players gives them a good balance throughout their squad.  They will do well this season,” feels Hutton.

“Again we will look to the positives from the Waterford game and try to work on eradicating the silly mistakes with a focus on Cobh at home.  The point away to Waterford is worthless if we don’t get something from the Cobh game.”

Thomas McBride’s injury-time red card in that Waterford encounter means that he will sit out this match as will Ciaran Coll through injury.

COBH RAMBLERS

Ramblers returned to the First Division after a four year exile last week and showed that they are certainly back with intent, having trounced Wexford Youths 5-0

They will be hoping to keep this positive start going and will be able to call upon a fully-fit squad in their attempts to do so as manager Dave Hill has no injuries or suspensions to worry about.

Referee: Ray Matthews.

MATCH STATS

The last six meetings between these sides at Finn Park could not be more even between these sides as there have been two draws and two wins apiece from those games.

On the occasion of their last meeting in August 2008 in the northwest, both clubs were in the Premier Division and battled out to a 2-2 draw although both were relegated that year.

BETTING

Finn Harps Evs, Drawn 9/4, Cobh Ramblers 12/5.

PREDICTION

Finn Harps 1-1 Cobh Ramblers

Finn Harps

Injured: Ciaran Coll.
Suspended: Thomas McBride.

Cobh Ramblers

Injured: Unavailable.
Suspended: None.