Finn Harps -v- Monaghan United

• Simon O'Gorman
• Thu, Mar 17 2011


Finn Harps welcome Roddy Collins’ Monaghan United to Finn Park on Friday night for what will be both teams’ second outing of the new Airtricity league season. (Kick off 8pm)

Most teams in the First Division are moving on to their third series of games this weekend but Monaghan sat out week one due to their being only eleven teams in the division. Finn Harps, meanwhile, had their game away to Athlone Town last Saturday postponed because of a waterlogged pitch.

Harps only lost twice in the league at Finn Park last season but they were held to nine draws from their 17 games. And a draw was what they got from their opening game of 2011 when Limerick FC came to town two weeks ago.

Limerick are expected to challenge for promotion this season and a 2-2 draw is likely to look like a good result for James Gallagher’s men come the end of the year, although it will have felt more like two points dropped on the night.

Looking ahead to Monaghan, Gallagher said “It will be a tough game but hopefully an exciting one. I watched them against Waterford and for the most part there didn’t seem to be much difference from Monaghan sides of the past, where they sit back, soak up the pressure and then hit you with a sucker punch.  They’re a bit more attack-minded and obviously that is one thing Roddy has said he wants to bring to the side, so with another week’s training behind them we can expect them to be that bit sharper.”

Collins’ reign at Gortakeegan began with a 2-0 win over Waterford United last weekend but he will be aware that it was not necessarily the best of performances. “A good start is half the work”, said Collins, adding “A share of the points would be a good result but we will need to improve on last week’s performance and since it was our first competitive outing of the season I have no doubt but we will.”

However, he will have to plan without Ryan Brennan and Declan O’Brien, both of whom are serving suspensions. Apart from that he has a fully fit squad to choose from.

Finn Harps
Injured: Garbhan Friel, Christy Conaghan.
Doubtful: None.
Unavailable: Keith Cowan.
Suspended: Mark Forker.

Monaghan United
Injured: None.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: Ryan Brennan, Declan O’Brien.

Referee: Phil Caschera.
Paddy Power Odds: Finn Harps 13/8 - Draw - 11/5 - Monaghan 6/4.
Extratime prediction: A narrow home win for Harps, 1-0.