There’s a big League of Ireland Premier Division game in Ballybofey tonight as Finn Harps host league champions Dundalk (kick-of 8.00). Despite a decent start to the season, Ollie Horgan’s men will be really up against it with the visitors coming to Finn Park after an impressive Louth derby win over Drogheda United last Friday night.
Horgan will have his gameplan in place, but that will really be put to the test as Dundalk have quality all over the park. Harps will again almost certainly be without Damian McNulty, Ciaran O’Connor and Danny Morrissey, all with hamstring injuries while Gareth Harkin (groin) and Barry Molloy (calf) are also doubts. Stephen Kenny will be looking for his side to push on now after the Drogheda win and put the pressure on current leaders Cork City. Harps will be up for the challenge and there will be plenty of motivation to get a result after losing all three games against Dundalk last season.
Meanwhile Kenny feels his side will have to ‘roll up their sleeves’ to get the victory in Ballybofey tonight. In an interview with dundalkfc.com Kenny said: “We had a good win last week ourselves. It was a derby match and it was important to win the game last week. It was important to bounce back after the defeat the week before to Cork and we did that.
“Finn Harps have had some good results recently and have had a good start to the season. We have to respect that and we do. We are going to have to roll our sleeves up tomorrow night and earn the right to win. We are going to have to put in a high level of performance and show a real determination to go and get the victory in Ballybofey.”
After defeats against Derry City and Cork City the league champions bounced back last weekend with that 3-1 win over Drogheda United in the Louth derby thanks to goals from David McMillan, Michael Duffy and Brian Gartland The Lilywhites have won five of their seven matches to date this season.
Harps are seventh in the table after that 3-2 defeat to Shamrock Rovers last Friday night. Dundalk sit second seven points behind leaders Cork City. Kenny has Ciaran Kilduff back from suspension but Robbie Benson (hamstring) is out for a while Seán Gannon (knee medial ligaments) is facing a lengthy absence. Patrick McEleney is expected to return after injury while captain Stephen O’Donnell is also available after recovering from a thigh injury. But Paddy Barrett and Thomas Stewart face late fitness tests.
