Credit:
Finn Harps -v- Salthill Devon
- Alan Foley
- Thu, Mar 11 2010
Finn Harps welcome League of Ireland newcomers Salthill Devon to Finn Park tomorrow evening for their first home game of the new season (kick off 8pm).
James Gallagher's side were beaten by three goals to two in their opening game at Longford Town last weekend, but the Harps manager believes that his side can use that disappointment to drive themselves onto a positive result this week.
"It was very disappointing to open the new season with a defeat and I don't think we deserved to go down 3-2 to Longford last Saturday," Gallagher said. "You don't want to lose your first match and if you look at the results in the First Division last weekend there was a lot of draws so you can see that teams went out with that mentality of not wanting to lose.
"When we reviewed things a few days later, though, we knew we did an awful lot of good stuff in the game. There is a small chance that we will look to change one or two things on Friday night and we will make a final decision after training on Thursday night." Gallagher has a similar squad to choose from this week as last in what will be the first senior meeting of the sides. Shin complainant Tommy Bonner remains out, as do Chris McBride (thigh) and Aaron O'Hagan (knee).
On the back of a successful stint in the Newstalk A Championship in 2009, Salthill Devon, after rivals Mervue United, are the second Galway club to be promoted to the league in as many years. Emlyn Long's side lost 1-0 at home to Athlone Town on opening day.
"After last weekend's game, the lads are mad keen to get into the game to prove that they are better than last week's result shows," Gallagher added. "The result hurt a few of our players and you could see that in training this week. There is pressure on us to get a result on Friday – not just the fact that we lost our first game – there is always pressure on us at Finn Park to win our games, so nothing really changes on that front."
Salthill Devon expect to have a virtually full squad to pick from and are buoyed by a positive performance last week despite losing to Athlone. Salthill were significantly impacted last week by having seven of their squad involved in the Collingwood Cup.
The only injury to contend with for Long is the absence of Damien O’Reilly who will be sidelined for two weeks with a back problem.
Salthill manager Emlyn Long believes his side will grow as the season progresses, “We are just glad now finally that the season has started. It really is all about routine and now we are in the midst of it that comes naturally. We were happy enough performance wise last Saturday, obviously there are some things to work on and the result wasn’t good but we will learn and become stronger the longer the league goes on.”
Venue: Finn Park, Ballybofey
Referee: P McLaughlin
Paddypower.com Odds: Finn Harps 2/5, Draw 3/1, Salthill Devon 5/1
Finn Harps
Injured: Tommy Bonner (shin), Chris McBride (thigh), Aaron O'Hagan (knee).
Doubtful: none
Suspended: none
Salthill Devon
Injured: Damien O’Reilly
Doubtful: none
Suspended: none
Prediction: 2-0
Courtesy of the Donegal Democrat
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