Ollie Horgan will be pulling out all the stops to get Finn Harps back on track to remain in promotion contention away to Cabinteely tomorrow night (kick-off 7.45). However, the Harps boss says it will take a huge performance from his players to take three points away from Stradbrook.
“Before the break Cabinteely won against the top four teams in the First Division UCD, Drogheda, Shelbourne and Longford and all at Stradbrook. So it shows the standard they can reach. They are good side with lads that have experienced Premier Division football like their keeper Stephen McGuinness. Kieran Marty Watters is a top player. Then you have Keith Dalton, Conor Early and Dean Casey so we really have to be up for this game to pick up points. We were lucky to get the better of them with Sam Todd’s late goal in Ballybofey earlier in the season” Horgan said.
Harps are fifth in the table with 28 points on the board. They are among a group of four teams including Drogheda United, Shelbourne and Longford who are separated by just three points. Two points below Harps is Galway.
UCD are the clear leaders with a seven-point advantage but Harps remain well placed in the race for promotion. Horgan will be minus Ciaran O’Connor, Tommy McBride and Michael O’Connor due to suspensions. Cabinteely are on 22 points – six behind Harps. So a victory at Stradbrook tomorrow night would be a huge result for the hosts.
At home Drogheda who are in joint second place will be expected to defeat Cobh Ramblers. The other team that sits second Shelbourne are away to Galway Utd who are just that two points below Harps in sixth place. The other big game sees leaders UCD host fourth placed Longford Town.
Harps will be on the road again on Friday week to play Drogheda.
The first home game after the break isn’t until Friday July 13, when Harps host Longford Town. A week later Horgan’s outfit will also be at Finn Park when Shelbourne are the visitors.
Injured: None
Doubtful: Adam Duffy
Suspended: Michael O’Connor, Ciaran O’Connor, Tommy McBride
