League Preview: Derry City -v- Finn Harps

• Paul Corcoran
• Fri, Feb 21 2020




DERRY CITY

It’s the first North-West Derby this Friday night when the Candystripes host Finn Harps at the Brandywell (kick-off 7.45pm).

Declan Devine’s men had a tough beginning to their 2020 Premier Division campaign last week when they travelled to Oriel Park to take on the champions, Dundalk.

Derry left Louth without the three points after some sloppy defending from a set piece allowed Dane Massey to put the ball in the back of the net and they will surely be disappointed that they couldn’t come away with at least a point having gotten to the 79^th minute before conceding.

Against Harps last season, the Candystripes came out on top in 4 of the 5 meetings between the sides in all competitions and Devine’s men will be looking to continue that dominance on Friday night.

In terms of team news Derry will have a full contingent of players to choose from going into this evening.

FINN HARPS

It was a hard-fought victory on the opening day of the season for Finn Harps when they defeated Sligo Rovers in Finn Park last Friday night.

A single goal from Karl O’Sullivan in the second half separated the sides to give Ollie Horgan’s men a perfect start to the season.

Harps have not had the rub of the green against their local rivals in recent times, particularly in the Brandywell, losing all three of their games there last season and their manager is well aware of the challenge they face on Friday.

“We’ve been turned over very comfortably there the last few times,” Horgan said speaking to the clubs website.

“We have a new team, it’s a huge game for us early in the season while we’re trying to take on a new approach, so we’ll see if perhaps it has come a bit soon.

“Declan [Devine] has had his own share of turnover in his squad but he's brought in a lot of quality there too.

“Conor McCormack has been a thorn in our side, particularly down in Cork and Conor Clifford has scored a couple of goals against us over the years, including last season at Finn Park.

“We know what they have, it's just a matter if maybe we can dig in and deal with them. We’ll go there in hope rather than expectation and see how we go.”

Mark Timlin is absent for the season while he recovers after suffering an ACL tear during pre-season. Rafael Cretaro picked up a knock against Sligo and is a doubt for Harps, as is Paul Brady while Derry City loanee Adrian Delap is ineligible to play against his parent club.

Referee: Rob Hennessy

 

MATCH STATS

Harps haven’t beaten Derry City away from home since April 2017, of course this was during the Candystripes time in Maginn Park in Buncrana.

17 was the number of goals scored during the 5 meetings between the sides in 2019.

This will be former Derry City captain Barry McNamee’s first time facing off on the opposite side of the North-West Derby since signing for Harps for the 2020 season.

BETTING

Derry City 1/4; Draw 4/1; Finn Harps 9/1.

PREDICTION

Derry City 2– 2 Finn Harps

 

 

Derry City

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

 

Finn Harps

Injured: Mark Timlin.

Doubtful: Rafael Cretaro and Paul Brady.

Suspended: None.