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Finn Harps -v- Cork City
- Aidan O'Donnell
- Fri, Oct 15 2010
Finn Harps are slowly grinding their season to a halt, with just three games remaining in the League of Ireland season, the first of which sees Cork City Foras Co-op entertained at Finn Park tonight, Friday, kick-off 8pm.
The game bookends another home game with Mervue United in the last game of the season, with a tasty trip into the Brandywell on offer in between – a game that could see Derry City crowned First Division champions.
The game across the border, it would appear, offers the last slice of delirium Harps fans could taste as they would love nothing more than to derail their neighbours’ stumbling title aspirations. The two games either side, however, present Harps with the chance to close out the season on the back of a pretty proud unbeaten home record in the league, which stretches back to the third week in May.
They might have only won two league games at home in that period since, making it, arguably, a very frustrating record. Still, to finish the season unbeaten at home in what would be eleven games certainly offers the biggest highlight of an otherwise forgettable campaign.
On the other hand, Harps are now without a win, home or away, in their last seven games in all competitions, and it would appear the season’s end can’t quite come quick enough, as they continue to struggle in eighth spot.
Harps’ form is in staggering contrast to their visitor’s tonight, who have won ten of their last thirteen games.
“We’re meeting probably the form team in the league so it’s not going to be easy,” Finn Harps boss James Gallagher admitted.
“But our form at home has been pretty good this season and we’ll go into the game with that in mind. We’re due a good result – against Athlone and Wexford, I think anyone who watched us will agree we should have won those matches. But we didn’t and we’ll aim to put that right on Friday night.
“It’s been tough going and really and truly, we would have been expecting to have had more points on board than what we have. We need a win against Cork to give ourselves a lift before the final couple of games and if we play to our strengths and maybe get a rub of the green that’s sometimes needed in games like this, we can get the right result,” added Gallagher.
Harps most recent defeat came last week at the hands of Waterford United at the RSC, with Kevin McHugh again on target for the Donegal side in what was a 3-1 loss in the south-east.
The likelihood of them being able to bounce back on Friday night have been hindered by the news that three starters – Gary Whoriskey, Tommy Bonner and Matthew Crossan – are all unavailable, the latter due to family commitments and the former duo because of suspension.
On the plus side, Marc Brolly and skipper Packie Mailey will be seen as welcome returns, while young left-back Ciaran Coll has returned to full-fitness for the first time all season, and is now in line for his first start of the season.
“It’s been tough for Ciaran, he’s practically missed the entire season. But he’s worked hard and played in an ‘A’ game a couple of weeks ago. He’s ready now to be involved and it would be nice if he got a few games under his belt between now and the end of the season.”
Cork City manager Tommy Dunne faces somewhat of a selection headache, with the Rebel Army missing several players. Midfielder George O’Callaghan misses the trip as his partner is expecting their second child, while Eoghan Lougheed, Neal Horgan and Billy Woods miss the tie due to prior commitments. Stephen Mulcahy, Greg O’Halloran and Cathal Lordan remain sidelined due to injury, while Shane Barrett is rated as very doubtful due to flu. On a positive note, Dunne welcomes captain Cillian Lordan back after he missed last Saturday’s win over Monaghan due to a one match suspension.
Speaking ahead of the game, the City boss told CorkCityFC.net: “We are missing a number of bodies, but this means there is an opportunity for some of the fringe players to come in. Kalen Spillane came into the side last week against Monaghan and did well, and with the number of players injured, it gives us a chance to look at some of the other young players at the club.”
The sides drew nil all at the same venue in April, and despite the injury list, Dunne says his side will be looking to go one better on this occasion: “Finn Harps are always tough opponents, particularly in Ballybofey, and we will have to be at our best to get a result there. We will be going there looking for the three points, as you still never know what may happen between now and the end of the season, so it is an important game for us.”
Finn Harps
Injured: None
Unavailable: Matthew Crossan
Suspended: Gary Whoriskey, Tommy Bonner
Cork City
Injured: Stephen Mulcahy, Greg O’Halloran and Cathal Lordan
Doubtful: Shane Barrett
Unavailable: George O’Callaghan, Eoghan Lougheed, Neal Horgan and Billy Woods
Suspended: None
Referee: P. Caschera
Extratime prediction: Finn Harps 1 – 1 Cork City
About Aidan O'Donnell
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