Longford Town -v- Finn Harps

• Deniese O'Flaherty
• Thu, Jun 02 2011


Longford Town have been hit with a bit of an injury crisis ahead of Friday night’s FAI 3rd Round clash with Finn Harps at Flancare Park (kick off 8pm).

Joining long term absentees on the treatment table are Jacques Morley and Keith Gillespie. Morley was on the receiving end of a robust challenge in the Town’s defeat to Mervue on Monday night and damaged his ankle, while Gillespie has a hamstring strain. Austin Skelly and Cathal Brady who both missed the Mervue game through injury will undergo late fitness tests before the game to see if they can take their place in the starting-line-up.

Town manager Tony Cousins is well aware of the threat that Harps will pose. Although they have struggled in the league this season that form will go out the window on Friday night in this cup tie. “The thing for Finn Harps is that it is a release from the league for them,” he told extratime.ie. “It’s a fresh game. It’s a cup game, a one-off and there is no pressure on them. It’s going to be a tough game. For us a cup run can keep your league form going. We are in a position that we want a cup run. At the end of the day if we get draws along the ways it helps the coffers. That might be the difference in bringing a player in, in the transfer window.”

Harps go into this game having recorded just one league win so far this season; that came last week against Athlone Town. They don’t have a good record in the league at Flancare Park but the last time these two sides met in the FAI Cup in 2000 the game ended in a 2-2 draw and Harps thrashed the Town 7-1 at Finn Park. They have been boosted by the return from injury of James Doherty while Gary Whoriskey and Conor O’Grady are still out injured.

Speaking about the game, Harps manager Peter Hutton is confident his side can come away with a win. “It’s a game we’re capable of winning if we keep on playing and improving from our recent performances. A good cup run would do us the world of good and give us something to build on. Longford are well up there in the table and have been going well. It’s always a difficult venue to go to and get a result but we’ll head there confident and really up for it, knowing a place in the next round is up for grabs.”

Longford Town
Injured: Michael Lee (groin), Graham Dowling (knee), Jacques Morley (ankle), Keith Gillespie (hamstring)
Doubtful: Austin Skelly (groin), Cathal Brady (hamstring)
Suspended: None.

Finn Harps
Injured: Gary Whoriskey (knee), Conor O’Grady (ankle)
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None

Referee: John McLoughlin

Paddy Power Odds: Home 4/7 Draw 5/2 Away 9/2

Extratime prediction: Draw. It’s a tough one to predict. With the injuries Town have to contend with Harps will never have a better chance to beat them at Flancare. The result will depend on what players Cousins will have at his disposable.