League Preview: Finn Harps -v- Cobh Ramblers

• Josh Dolan
• Thu, Mar 26 2015




FINN HARPS
Harps will be looking to maintain their unbeaten start to the season when they entertain managerless Cobh Ramblers on Friday night.

Harps began the season with a 0-0 draw away at Shelbourne, before consecutive victories against Cabinteely and Waterford United respectively. 

Despite the turmoil in Cobh following the resignation of Martin Cambridge, as well as Harps recent good form, Horgan is anticipating a tough game on Friday night.

“Cobh are always very difficult opponents,” explained Finn Harps boss Ollie Horgan.

“The fact that Martin Cambridge has stepped down will allow a new manager to give them a boost for the weekend.

“Martin assembled a very strong squad with talented players, some who have played at a very high level in England.

“We failed to score in our last two meetings with Cobh, so we know how tough it is going to be,” Horgan furthered.

The Balyboffey side were unbeaten after four games last season, but after that Harps began to fade away in the race for promotion. For that reason, Horgan isn’t getting carried away with his side’s early form.

“Obviously we are happy with the first few results but we were in the exact same position last year and didn't win another game for six weeks after,” the Harps boss concluded.

Packie Mailey will miss Friday night’s fixture through injury, while striker Ruairi Keating is a doubt for the visit of the First Division’s basement club.


COBH RAMBLERS
It’s been a turbulent start to the season at St Colman’s Park.  Ramblers have lost their opening three fixtures, conceding ten goals and drawing blank in the process.

To add to their problems, Manager Martin Cambridge last week tendered his resignation and departed St Colman’s after seeing his side lose 3-0 to Wexford Youths.

First team Coach Anthony Wolfe will be looking to help the team turn the corner, as he takes the team for this Friday’s 918 kilometre round trip to face Finn Harps.

Cobh will be without Ross McCarthy, Peter White and Darren Murphy Senior for the trip north; Steven McCarthy and Kynan Rocks are both doubts for the game, while the club are hopeful that Kevin Mulcahy will make the trip after recently returning to training from a recent injury.


Referee: John McLoughlin
 


MATCH STATS
Cobh picked up just one point away from St Colman’s Park last season. It came against Friday’s opponents in a scoreless draw at Finn Park last July.

Four of the last ten ties between the sides have finished in draws.

Cobh’s last league win on the road came back in 2008 in a 3-0 win against St Patrick’s Athletic at Richmond Park.


BETTING
Home 1/3; Draw 10/3; Away 15/2.

PREDICTION
Finn Harps 3-0 Cobh Ramblers
 


Finn Harps
Injured: Packie Mailey.
Doubtful: Ruairi Keating.
Suspended: None.

Cobh Ramblers
Injured: Ross McCarthy, Peter White, Darren Murphy Senior.
Doubtful: Steven McCarthy, Kevin Mulcahy, Kynan Rocks.
Suspended: None.