League Preview: Cobh Ramblers -v- Finn Harps

• Dave Donnelly
• Sat, Jul 28 2018




COBH RAMBLERS

Cobh Ramblers seek to end a two-match losing run when they welcome Finn Harps to St Colman's Park on Saturday night (kick-off 7.45pm).

Stephen Henderson's side saw their slender chances of making the play-offs all but evaporate as they fell to a 2-0 defeat to Cabinteely last week.

First-half goals from Jack Watson and Kevin Knight moved Cabo four points clear of the Rams in seventh.

A top-half finish now looks beyond the Rams as they sit 11 points behind fifth-placed Galway, but they can still have an effect on others' promotion ambitions.

“We can’t make the playoffs, but we can make it difficult for others,” Henderson said on Twitter.

Midfielder Cian Leonard misses out once more as he continues his recovery from a shoulder injury, but Shane O'Connor could make his debut after signing from Longford Town.

FINN HARPS

Finn Harps will move back into a share of second place in the First Division should they do the double over Cobh Ramblers at St Colman's Park.

Harps have won three of their last four matches, including a vital win over second-placed Drogheda United, to put them right back in the promotion race.

Ollie Horgan's side were held to a scoreless draw at Finn Park by Shelbourne last weekend, and a win here would see them leapfrog the Reds and within seven of leaders UCD.

“St. Colman’s Park is never an easy place to get a result,” manager Ollie Horgan told the club's website.

“Repeating the win we got there back in March is going to take a really big performance from our lads.

“Our lads know that every point is precious at this stage with only six games to go. We have to give it everything tomorrow night and see where that leaves us at the final whistle.

“They have plenty of quality in likes of Cian Leonard, David Hurley, James McSweeney and Stephen Kenny who has come back to them from Galway.”

Paddy McCourt and Adam Duffy will definitely miss out with injury and Mark Coyle is suspended, while Jesse Devers and Nathan Boyle are doubts.

 

Referee: Ray Matthews.

 

MATCH STATS

Goals from Corkman John O'Flynn and the since-departed Ciaran O'Connor gave Harps the three points the first time the sides met at St Colman's Park in March.

The return fixture in Ballybofey saw the Rams turn the tables as Cian Leonard's goal was enough to earn the visitors all three points.

 

BETTING

Cobh Ramblers 13/5; Draw 2/1; Finn Harps 5/6.

PREDICTION

Cobh Ramblers 0 – 1 Finn Harps

 

Cobh Ramblers

Injured: Cian Leonard (shoulder).

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Finn Harps

Injured: Paddy McCourt, Adam Duffy.

Doubtful: Jesse Devers, Nathan Boyle.

Suspended: Mark Coyle.