League Preview: Finn Harps -v- UCD

• Gareth O'Reilly
• Fri, May 22 2015




FINN HARPS

Harps go into this game against UCD sitting atop of the First Division, a place that even a defeat on Friday night won’t change.

 

So good has Finn Harps early season form being that veteran Kevin McHugh even sensationally declared to the Extratime.ie Sportscast on Tuesday night, that should Harps achieve promotion he would go back and reverse his earlier statement which said he would retire at the end of the 2015 season. You can listen to that full interview here.

 

“As I have said before, UCD are an excellent side and have got players back in to strengthen them further. They will be there or thereabouts at the end of the season with the likes of Robbie Benson, Mark Langtry, Mick Leahy and now Thomas Boyle back to add to the younger very talented players making them very tough opponents.  On the top of that, their qualification for Europe will give them a massive boost and it’s well deserved.”

 

The Donegal club go into this game in buoyant mood having had a come from behind victory over Cobh Ramblers last Saturday following the Harps team bus taking one of the longest trips in Irish football.

 

“It was a great comeback against Cobh on Saturday. At 2-1 down Cobh had two chances to go 3-1 up and it could have been a completely different story but we hung in there and turned it around.”

 

Keith Cowan is out for this game through suspension while on the injury front, Brian McGroary and Packie Malley remain firmly stuck in the physio’s room.

 

UCD

Collie O’Neill and the UCD bus will head north come Friday afternoon as his side go in search of three points, whilst also looking to stretch their unbeaten record to eight league games.

 

In past week’s UCD have had long injury list which has been furthered crippled with suspensions. Gary O’Neill will return for The Students following his two game ban for a red card picked up earlier this month against Shelbourne. Dan Tobin will not be making the trip as the young defender has been given time off to concentrate on his Leaving Cert whilst Daire O’Connor is also out due to the upcoming state exams.

 

Maxi Kougoun has once again begun light training following a recent spell on the sidelines but he is unlikely to feature in this one from the start. With no official team news from the club as of yet it is hard to tell if Chris Mulhall, Conor Cannon or Greg Sloggett will once again re-join a depleted College team that was only able to name five substitutes during the 4-1 win over Wexford.

 

Referee: Eoghan O’Shea.

 

MATCH FACTS

Finn Harps could well be giddy with excitement prior to kick off on Friday night, as should Ollie Horgan’s men manage to avoid defeat they will become the first Harps team to ever go the first twelve matches of a league season unbeaten.

 

UCD’s last visit to Finn Harps took place in September 2009, the last time the Students were in the First Division.

 

Last time UCD played in Finn Park, Ger Barron was in nets for the Students – Barron will once again be in Finn Park for this game although this time round it will be in his current role as UCD’s Goalkeeping Coach.

 

BETTING

Finn Harps 5/4; Draw Draw 9/4; UCD 15/8.

 

PREDICTION

Finn Harps 1-1 UCD.

 

Finn Harps

Injured: Brian McGroary, Packie Malley.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Keith Cowan.

 

UCD

Injured: Unknown.

Doubtful: Unknown.

Suspended: None.