Credit:
Shelbourne -v- Finn Harps
- Niall Farrell
- Fri, Apr 29 2011
Finn Harps will play their first match of the season without James Gallagher in charge when they take on Shelbourne at Tolka Park tomorrow night (kick-off 8pm).
Striker Kevin McHugh and A team manager Paddy Foy will take the Harps reins for the visit to Dublin knowing that a win in the would be their first in all competitions this season. Harps have lost their last three matches in the league and have scored just one goal in their last six league matches. McHugh could also feature on the pitch for Harps, but is a doubt.
The Harps stalwart said he has been told that the club is "close" to appointing a new manager. “The new man could very well be at Tolka Park on Friday night, or have someone there watching us. Whoever gets the job, it will mean a fresh start for us all – all the players will be starting with a clean slate.”
McHugh admits that keeping the players' minds off the managerial situation and on the match was his main task this week. “I’ve just been trying to keep the players focused on this week’s game in Dublin,” he said. "I’ve told the lads that these things happen in football all the time – I must have seen a dozen managers come and go in my senior career so far.There is no point in us getting down about it – I’m sure James will pick up another job very soon, so we all have to get on with things.”
“I don’t expect to see too many changes to be honest" said McHugh of his plans for the Harps tactics and lineup. "We will probably have the same back five as last week, and depending on who is available, we’ll decide on what formation we will play and who will play. It’s won’t be a case of wholesale changes anyway – we don’t want to be throwing boys in at the deep end that haven’t played much all season.”
On the other side, Shels manager Alan Mathews thinks that the off-the-pitch anxiety could spur the Ballybofey side on to shock Shels. "Finn Harps have lost their manager and they're going to get a response from their players coming here on Friday night" he said. Mathews spoke of the need for his side to build on their fine recent form after the 1-0 win in Waterford last Thursday night. "We've set ourselves a standard now that we want to meet every week- we want to keep improving," Mathews said.
Shels will look to build on a 4-3 win over Bohemians on Monday with a win which would see them go top of the table again. Last season, Shels were unbeaten in their three meetings with Harps - and go in to this first meeting of 2011 having lost only one match so far in all competitions.
The visitors will miss Paddy McLaughlin, Conor O'Grady and Graham Friel through injury, while interim manager and top scorer Kevin McHugh is a doubt. After his red card at Waterford last Thursday, Chris Mulhall is suspended for the Reds. Lorcan Fitzgerald and Karl Bermingham are both doubtful.
Shelbourne:
Injured: None
Doubtful: Karl Bermingham (knee), Lorcan Fitzgerald (ankle)
Suspended: Chris Mulhall
Finn Harps:
Injured: Paddy McLaughlin (hamstring), Conor O’Grady (ankle), Garbhan Friel (knee).
Doubtful: Kevin McHugh (knee)
Suspended: None.
Referee: Brian James (Wales)
Paddypower.com Odds: Shels 1/4 Draw 4/1 Harps 9/1
Extratime.ie Prediction: 4-1 to Shels.
About Niall Farrell
Niall Farrell is our correspondent at Tolka Park, covering the goings-on at Shelbourne. You can visit Niall's website for further information and contact details- niallf.net.