League Preview: Shelbourne -v- Finn Harps

• Gareth O'Reilly
• Thu, Jun 25 2015




The mid-season break is over and Tolka Park is set to play host to Shelbourne versus Finn Harps on Friday evening with kick off set for 7:45pm.

 

SHELBOURNE

Shels and Kevin Doherty are due to welcome league leaders Finn Harps to Drumcondra for this First Division clash, with both teams likely to be refreshed and raring to go following the two week hiatus.

 

A number of important pieces will be missing on Friday night for Doherty’s men as Simon Dixon, Jack Brady and Dave Ryan are all ruled out, while Colm Crowe and Daire Doyle are both due to miss the clash due to suspension. There is some good news however, as Paul Andrews, Ryan Robinson and Craig Walsh are all back and available for selection.

 

Shels will be looking to put in a strong performance against Harps as the Reds now have another break from competitive action until July 10^th due to UCD’s Europa League involvement meaning the scheduled game against the Students was switched to before the break, a fixture that Collie O’Neill’s side managed to win.

 

Although Shels have set up a friendly fixture against Scottish side Hearts in order to keep them match fit – that game will take place on July 4^th. In other news, this week Jordan Keegan has left the club by mutual consent while James English has become the first new arrival at Tolka Park this summer, having signed from Darndale FC over the mid-season break.

 

 

FINN HARPS

Harps will want to come out of their slump that saw them lose to Athlone Town and Wexford Youths just before the break. Ollie Horgan certainly felt that he could not fault his players’ performance during their 3-1 home defeat to Shane Keegan’s men.

 

“Wexford took their chances and we didn't would probably sum up the game. They were excellent on the counter attack and Furlong, Keenan and Mulligan showed great quality.

 

“It wasn't that we played badly and as a result lost,” he continued. “We played well enough but couldn't get the first goal.  We had a lot of free kicks that weren't converted - Wexford scored theirs so fair play to them.”

 

Looking ahead to the Shels game, Horgan remarked that although his side emerged victorious up in Finn Park back in April he was all too aware that the Reds had improved since then.

 

“Shelbourne have improved through the first half of the season and we ran our luck against them last time out so it will be very difficult to get anything out of Friday night,” said Horgan ahead of Friday’s trip to Tolka.

 

“I think we can improve in all areas and need to improve also to compete,” remarked Horgan ahead of the second half of the season getting underway. 

 

“We need to do this not just in the attacking end as we have conceded our fair share of goals recently also.”

 

In terms of team news Ruairi Keating is out injured, with the on-loan Sligo Rovers striker expected to return to the Premier Division club at the end of the month. In some better news Raymond Foy and Damien McNulty are both once again available having missed the Youths defeat through suspension.

 

Referee: Andrew Mullally.

 

 

MATCH FACTS

Harps have picked up six points from the last eighteen available while Shels have managed to secure thirteen from their last six fixtures.

 

The Donegal club have managed to win 34 of the 85 ties between these two competitors.

 

Shels top goalscorer in the league this season is Gareth Coughlan with six finishes to his name, while Ruairi Keating and Kevin McHugh lead the Harps charts with five goals apiece.

 

 

BETTING

Shelbourne 7/5; Draw 11/5; Finn Harps 7/4.

 

PREDICTION

Shelbourne 1-1 Finn Harps

 

 

Shelbourne

Injured: Simon Dixon, Jack Brady, Dave Ryan.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Colm Crowe, Daire Doyle.

 

Finn Harps

Injured: Ruairi Keating.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

 

Don't forget this week's Extratime.ie Sportscast, featuring Liam Kearney, Simon Madden, Richie Towell and Collie O'Neill, is available here. You can also listen to the Extratime.ie Sportscast European Special here.