EA Sports Cup Preview: Finn Harps -v- Cockhill Celtic

• Graham Russell
• Mon, Apr 03 2017




Finn Park hosts a Donegal Derby as non-league Cockhill Celtic go to fellow countymen Finn Harps in the First Round of the EA Sports Cup (Kick-off 8:00 PM)

 

FINN HARPS

With a number of players ruled out due to injury Finn Harps manager Ollie Horgan is not underestimating the challenge that Ulster Senior League side Cockhill Celtic will present in tonight’s EA Sports Cup first round clash in Ballybofey.

 

In recent years Cockhill have been the top team in the USL and their squad includes a sprinkling of players with senior soccer experience.

 

In Harps' last game, they were cruelly denied an impressive point at the death against Shamrock Rovers, losing 3-2 in Tallaght Stadium.

 

Rovers fullback Simon Madden exquisitely scored a late winner after the Donegal men pegged the 2-0 halftime scoreline back.

 

A late revival took place in the second half when Harps goals from Caolan McAleer and a Paddy McCourt drew the side’s level before the dramatic late winner.

 

When quizzed about the upcoming game against their countymen, Horgan was in complimentary mood when discussing Monday’s opponents.

 

“We will have our work cut out to get a win over Cockhill who are heading for another Ulster Senior League title. I have watched them recently and they have quality all over the pitch. So our lads will have to be mentally prepared for the challenge to win this cup game.

 

“After Friday night in Tallaght we have Ciaran O’Connor and Danny Morrissey out with hamstring injuries. Damian McNulty missed the Shamrock Rovers because of a hamstring problem as well so he won’t play either.

 

“Paddy McCourt and Barry Molloy have been carrying injuries over the past couple of weeks and won’t recover in time too.

 

“Gareth Harkin and Ciaran Coll are also struggling after Friday night so we’ll just see how they are tomorrow.

 

“So there will be changes and it is an opportunity for other lads and some of the U19s to come in and stake a claim for regular places in the first team” Horgan said.

 

Everybody involved with the club will want to get over that previously mentioned agonising defeat in Tallaght on Friday by progressing to the Second Round of the EA Sports Cup off the back of a decent performance against countymen Cockhill Celtic.

 

 

COCKHILL CELTIC

Cockhill fell to a 1-0 defeat by tonight’s opposition in last year’s competition, in the same round and venue. Celtic fell down 3-2 to Finn Harps at the same venue and round in 2014 and so will be hoping to fashion a massive upset when they take to the field in Finn Park.

 

Cockhill have a well-balanced squad and they have won the Ulster Senior League four times consecutively.

 

Goalkeeper Gavin Cullen is a great shot stopper. Defenders Kieran McLaughlin and Peter Doherty are defensively sound.

 

Scoring seems to come easy for the team too with Gerry Gill, James Bradley and Gerard McLaughlin all capable of finding the opposition net.

 

The Team from Buncrana are managed by goalkeeper Gavin Cullen and play their football in the Four Lanterns Ulster Senior League.

 

“It’s something the players have been looking forward to since the draw was made and it’s one we are delighted to be involved in,” he told Donegalnow.com.

 

“A lot of our players have experienced this level before but it will be a new experience for some of the younger boys like Ronan Ollie, Ronan Newman and Darren Coyle and it is one they should enjoy.

 

“When I was trying to attract players at the start of the season, these games were a big selling point.” Echoed Cullen when asked about tonight’s game.

 

The four-in-a -row USL winners always give their best in Cup games. In 2014 against Drogheda United in the FAI Cup 2nd Round they took a 1-2 lead while Drogheda needed a Declan O'Brien hat-trick to eventually win 4-2.

 

Also in 2014 against Galway United in the EA Sports Cup Second Round, Cockhill played a confident game. A brilliant long range goal from James Bradley plus a late strike from Mark Moran gave the Hoops a respectable 4-2 loss in Eamonn Deacy Park.

 

In fact the Ulster Senior League side managed to secure a 2-1 victory in January 2014 when they beat Finn Harps in one of the First Division’s side pre-season friendlies.

 

The Buncrana men will undoubtedly want to gain revenge from last year’s defeat by Harps but will also fancy an upset too by beating League of Ireland opposition.

 

Kick-off at Finn Park is 8:00pm.

 

REFEREE: Unknown

 

 

MATCH FACTS

Tuesday’s game will be the 3^rd meeting of the two clubs, and the 3^rdto be played in Finn Park – also in the League Cup over the last few seasons.

 

The two sides met last year in the same competition, at the same venue, in the same round- Harps winning 1-0 - thanks to an Ethan Boyle strike.

 

Harps’ last five results: LWDWD

Cockhill’s last five results: WWWWW

 

Young striker Ciaran O’Connor is the Ballybofey clubs’ top scorer; with four goals.

 

 

MATCH BETTING

Finn Harps 2/5; Draw 10/3; Cockhill Celtic 5/1

 

PREDICTION

Finn Harps 2-1 Cockhill Celtic

 

 

Finn Harps

Injured: Ciaran O’Connor (Hamstring), Danny Morrissey (Hamstring), Damian McNulty (Hamstring), Paddy McCourt (Ankle) Barry Molloy (Calf)

Doubtful: Ciaran Coll (Hip), Gareth Harkin (Knee)

Suspended: None.

 

Cockhill Celtic

Injured: Unknown.

Doubtful: Unknown.

Suspended: Unknown.