Credit: Geraldine Diver (ETPhotos)
League Preview: Bohemians -v- Finn Harps
- Dave Donnelly
- Fri, Oct 27 2017
BOHEMIANS
Bohemians could sneak a fifth-placed finish in the Premier Division should they overcome Finn Harps at Dalymount Park on Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm).
With Bray Wanderers,who sit two points ahead of them, travelling to the champions Cork City, Keith Long's side have a real chance to round off their season in style.
Last Friday saw Bohs defeat second-placed Dundalk at Oriel Park thanks to Ismahil Akinade's long-range strike just before half time.
“It hasn’t always been plain sailing,”Long told the club's official website.
“We’ve had our ups and downs but overall it’s been a rewarding season.We were looking over our shoulders at various stages but we always felt that we had enough in the dressing room to be safe.
“There are three full-time teams below us fighting for survival on the last day – they would all love to be in our position right now.
“Players and staff have worked extremely hard and put in extra hours and extra training to make sure we could first of all survive and then finish as high up the table as possible.
“Pound for pound, the players have done extremely well. They deserve an enormous amount of credit for their efforts.”
“We’ve found them difficult opponents. They are a very well-organised team.
“I commiserate with Ollie Horgan on their relegation, but I feel their absence from the division will be a short-term one.”
Goalkeeper Shane Supple is set to miss his first game of the season with a knee injury and Dylan Hayes also misses out, but Eoin Wearen may take part after recovering from a cruciate knee injury.
Dan Byrne, Rob Cornwall and Keith Ward all miss out with suspension.
FINN HARPS
Finn Harps suffered the disappointment of relegation without kicking a ball last weekend as results elsewhere sealed their fate while their tie with Drogheda United was called off.
The game went ahead on Monday night when a crestfallen Harps fell to a 3-2 defeat at home to the Drogs, conceding three times in the second half after taking an early lead.
Two goals from Caolan McAleer weren't enough for Ollie Horgan's side to give their fans something to cheer about as they contemplate life in the second tier after a two-year absence.
They will hope to rectify that on Friday night when the dedicated band of away fans descend on the home of football to complete their latest stint in the Premier Division.
“Keith Long has done a good job at Bohemians and their results reflect that,” Horgan told the club's official website.
“We are going to Dalymount after very bad run recently so it is going to take some turnaround for us to get a draw or win there.
“We will battle to the end and hopefully we can get something out of the game.”
Ethan Boyle miss out with a hamstring injury, while Damian McNulty, Sean Houston and Paddy McCourt are all very doubtful, but Eddie Dsane is available again after serving a suspension.”
Referee: Robert Hennessy.
MATCH STATS
Bohs and Harps have met three times this season, twice in the league and once in the Cup, with Ollie Horgan's men getting the better of it over the course of the season.
Both teams have won their home games, with a 2-0 Bohs win in Dalymount followed up with a 2-1 reverse in Finn Park in July.
The sides also met in the second round of the FAI Cup in August, where Eddie Dsane's goal six minutes into extra time sealed a remarkable 4-3 win for Harps.
BETTING
Bohemians 4/7; Draw 3/1; Finn Harps 9/2.
PREDICTION
Bohemians 2 – 0 Finn Harps
Bohemians
Injured: Dylan Hayes, Shane Supple.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: Dan Byrne, Rob Cornwall, Keith Ward.
Finn Harps
Injured: Ethan Boyle.
Doubtful: Damian McNulty, Sean Houston, Paddy McCourt.
Suspended: None.
