Drogheda United -v- Sporting Fingal

• Eimear Taaffe
• Fri, Sep 24 2010


Bottom of the table Drogheda United play host to nearby Sporting Fingal this Friday in a crucial game for both sides. Kick off at Hunky Dory Park, is at 7.45pm.

Sporting come into the game sitting mid table on 46 points, only one point off fourth place Sligo Rovers who play in the EA Sports Cup final this weekend. Drogheda's tally for the season so far, is less than half of Fingal's however the Louth men are hoping to gain something from the tie.

Director of Football at Hunky Dory Park, Darius Kierans is not underestimating Fridays clash. "It is possibly the biggest game of our season so far. I've said to the lads we have six games left and we have to treat them as if they were cup finals."

The Fingal footballers have done well, in this their first season in the Premier League but Liam Buckley is still looking for more from his players. “We’ve played quite well for long spells of recent games but need to be doing that for the ninety minutes. The players realise that themselves and if they perform to the level I know they’re capable of, we’ll give Drogheda a good game."

Speaking about last week’s FAI Ford Cup tie with Patrick’s Athletic, Liam Buckley commented that "it was tight as expected right up to the latter stages and I felt some key decisions went against us at crucial stages. It was disappointing result but we move on and concentrate on our pursuit of a higher-placed finish in the league.” Bold statements from the Sporting Fingal boss, as they hope to gain ground in the table.

Drogheda United are without the suspended Ryan Brennan, Eric McGill and Corie Treacy. Conor Sinnott is a doubt, meanwhile Brendan McGill remains out for the Boynesiders.

Missing for Sporting Fingal are the injured Colm James and Shaun Maher, both will undergo late fitness tests before Fridays match. Shane McFaul is suspended for the tie, however he is injured and so not in the plans of the management staff. All absent is defender John Frost. The manager of the Santry side mentioned these injuries, when asked his thoughts pre-match. “We’re missing a couple of players through suspension but there’s lads there waiting for their chance and I know they’ll be up for this game.”

On the hot topic of relegation Kierans of Drogheda remains optimistic, "We still believe that we can stay up but we can’t rely on other results, we have to take things into our own hands. The lads have been training well and are still working hard."

Fingal won out victorious in the first of the three league meetings this year, with a convincing 4-1 scoreline. The second encounter ended in a one all draw. And the third tie swung in the favour of Drogheda United. The United camp are hoping to replicate their 2-1 victory over the same opposition in their last meeting, in July.

paddypower.com odds: Drogheda United 5/2 Draw 9/4 Sporting Fingal 10/11
Venue: Hunky Dory Park

Drogheda United:
Doubtful: Conor Sinnott
Injured: Brendan McGill>Suspended: Eric McGill, Ryan Brennan, Corie Treacy

Sporting Fingal:
Doubtful: None
Injured: Shaun Maher, Colm James
Suspended: John Frost, Shane McFaul

Extratime,ie Prediction: Based on previous form it is hard to call this game. However looking at current standings and results, it is difficult to see Sporting Fingal slipping up.