League Preview: Cobh Ramblers -v- Finn Harps

• John O'Shea
• Fri, May 09 2014




COBH RAMBLERS

Cobh Ramblers head into the game with Finn Harps at St Colman’s Park still looking for their first victory of the 2014 campaign.

 

Last weekend Cobh lost their first home league game of the season when Wexford Youths recorded a 1-0 win. They also lost to the same opposition, and by the same score-line, in the EA Sports Cup on Monday night.

 

Cobh will be missing Andrew Bhandarkar (groin) for the clash.

 

 

FINN HARPS

Finn Harps make the 600 mile round trip to Cobh on the back a run of recent results which has seen them pick up just two points from their last six league games.

 

Heading into the game, the Donegal side suffered two 1-0 defeats, first to Shamrock Rovers B in the league and then to Galway in the EA Sports Cup.

 

Harps manager Ollie Horgan is fully aware of the task which faces his side on Saturday night

 

“Cobh are very difficult to beat in Cork as Waterford and Shamrock Rovers found out.  Wexford ran their luck there last week before scraping through on a 1-0 scoreline.

 

“Obviously we were disappointed with the result and indeed some of the performance last Friday night. I don't think Shamrock Rovers had a shot on target, including the goal, so it was hard to stomach but we ourselves didn't create enough at other end.

 

“It was a much better performance in Galway where both ourselves and Galway made several changes from our weekend teams. We created a lot more chances, had a goal disallowed but still didn't score,”

 

“There were lots of positives out of the Galway game with a number of players making claims for a start in Cobh.  Defensively against Shamrock Rovers we very comfortable limiting chances to a minimum, but at same time creating few at other end.”

 

In Harps team news, striker Kevin Mc Hugh is still out because of a hamstring injury, while   Ruairi Keating is a doubt heading into the game. Defender Packie Mailey is suspended.

 

Referee: Andrew Mullally

 

 

MATCH STATS

Both Cobh Ramblers and Finn Harps have failed to record a win in their last six league games.

 

The last game between the sides in Cobh finished  with a 3-2 win for the home side.

 

Last weekend both sides suffered home 1-0 defeats, while in midweek both clubs dropped out of the EA Sports League Cup – again after 1-0 defeats.

 

 

BETTING

Cobh Ramblers 11/4; Draw 11/5;  Finn Harps 10/11.

 

PREDICTION

Cobh Ramblers 1-2 Finn Harps

 

 

Cobh Ramblers
Injured: Andrew Bhandarkar 
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.

 

Finn Harps
Injured: Kevin McHugh (hamstring).
Doubtful: Ruairi Keating
Suspended: Packie Mailey