League Preview: Longford Town -v- Finn Harps
- Andrew Dempsey
- Sat, Feb 17 2024
LONGFORD TOWN
Jack Brady will be hoping that Longford Town’s busy pre-season schedule will help them enjoy a fast start to the campaign when they host Finn Harps on Saturday night (kick-off is at 7.30pm).
The Red and Black have competed in the Leinster Senior Cup and also played seven pre-season friendlies - which was in stark contrast to last term.
Boss Stephen Henderson scrambled to arrange pre-season last term after being appointed before Christmas - and that fed into a chaotic start to last season.
“Hendo came in late last year and then we were scrambling signings and trying to get friendlies organised,” Brady told extratime.com last week.
“That made pre-season last year quite hectic and I think we carried that into the season with us, which was hugely problematic in how we performed in the first round of games.
“We only had one win and I felt like we weren't fully prepared. I think that's something that we acknowledged and we learned from this year.
“We had 7 or 8 friendlies this year with the inclusion of Leinster Senior Cup games in between.
“Managing minutes was the bigger challenge and we saw some really good performances from some of the young players coming through.”
In terms of team news, Aaron Walsh is out for the Red and Black after picking up an injury setback during pre-season.
FINN HARPS
Finn Harps will be looking to continue their good record at Bishopsgate this evening when they travel to face Longford Town.
Harps won twice at the Strokestown Road venue last year - with their last victory yielding a 3-2 win.
And with a number of young players staying on from last season, Harps will be hoping that they can repeat the trick.
But they head into the new season without the services of Ryan Flood who has returned to his native United States on compassionate grounds.
“We’ve touched on Longford Town a bit and who they have in their squad,” club captain Tony McNamee told Finn Harps TV.
“We’ve pinpointed a few dangerous men for them. We’ll look forward to Saturday and hopefully get the three points.”
Referee: Daryl Carolan.
PREDICTION
Longford Town 2-1 Finn Harps
Longford Town
Injured: Aaron Walsh.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
Finn Harps
Injured: N/A.
Doubtful: N/A.
Suspended: None.
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