Limerick -v- Finn Harps
- Extratime Team
- Mon, Jun 07 2010
Third placed Limerick welcome Finn Harps to Jackman Park on Tuesday evening with just one win form their last four games. (Kick-off 7.45pm)
Limerick’s form has dipped recently with their last two games yielding just one point. The previous four games however gave Limerick four wins, including wins against Cork City and Shelbourne. Limerick sit 10 points behind leaders Derry City in the table with seven wins coming from their 14 games so far.
"The last game before the break at home this week, we will need to get a win at home to give us the lift we need. We have a lot of injuries and suspensions at the moment and we are looking for our young side to continue to deliver, but this is a very important game for us to get the 3 points and it could make all the difference later in the year", Manager Pat Scully said.
For Finn Harps, Michael Funston returns to the squad for the midweek trip to Limerick after missing out on Friday night’s FAI Cup victory through suspension. Ciaran Gallagher, Jonathan Minnock (groin), Aaron O’Hagan (ankle) and Fintan Bonner (hamstring) are all out.
Last weekend, Harps made it to the next round of the FAI Cup with a win over Crumlin United. “We were professional. We had a very young bench there and although I considered putting a couple of the younger lads on, maybe I would have if we had got another couple of goals, but I don’t believe in just throwing players on for the sake of it and these lads know they have to earn the right to play for the first team”, Harps boss James Gallagher said.
Gallagher himself has played the last number of games in goal and collected another clean sheet on Friday. “It would have been easy for us to switch off at the back and concede one and they had a few half-chances with headers and that, without really hitting the target. The back four, myself and the team as a whole were determined. The more clean sheets you get then the more you want.”
Earlier in the season Limerick ran out easy 3-0 winners in Finn Park. Harps are unbeaten in their last three league games, collecting two wins. A win could potentially move Harps up to 6th place in the table.
Extratime Prediction: Limerick to win 1-0.