Finn Harps’ three match winning run came to a halt last weekend at Finn Park, as First Division title favourites Limerick ran out 3-1 winners.
However, Harps will be looking to get back to winning ways again tomorrow night when they make the trip to Fahy’s Field to take on bottom of the table Mervue United (kick-off 7.45pm).
Finn Harps Director of Football, Felix Healy, was disappointed to see his side lose their recent unbeaten run against Limerick last weekend but said his side can have no complaints about the result.
“The result was a reflection of the game,” said Healy. “We never really got going at all. A few individuals never contributed enough on the night. Collectively we weren’t compact enough as a unit and we obviously didn’t defend very well from set pieces which effectively cost us the game.”
Harps ended the game with ten men, after Thomas McBride received a straight red card in the latter stages of the match. “The sending off was correct in my view,” commented Healy. “It was an extremely silly and dangerous challenge. The referee had little option.”
Harps will be hoping to have better luck at Fahy’s Field than they did last season. In three trips to the Galway venue, Harps came home beaten on each occasion.
“Obviously we will be hoping to bounce back against Mervue this Friday but as I’ve said previously there are no easy games in this division,” said Healy.
Harps will again plan without long term absentees Keith Cowan, Ciaran Gallagher and Stephen O’Donnell, while Thomas McBride will serve an automatic one match suspension as a result of his sending off against Limerick.
On the injury front, Healy expects to see Cowan and Gallagher make returns to training over the next few weeks. “Keith is doing some exercise but he’s probably 4 or 5 weeks away from playing. Ciaran is feeling much better and should be able to resume training very soon.”
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TEAM NEWS
Suspended: Thomas McBride
Doubtful: None.
Injured: Keith Cowan (double hairline fracture ankle), Stephen O’Donnell (medial ligament), Ciaran Gallagher (hairline fracture skull).
Form Guide (last six league games)
Finn Harps: L-L-W-W-W-L (9 pts)
Mervue United: L-L-L-D-D-L (2 pts)
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Last six away games against Mervue United
20/03/2009 – Mervue United 1-1 Finn Harps (First Division)
11/09/2009 – Mervue United 0-1 Finn Harps (First Division)
07/08/2010 – Mervue United 1-3 Finn Harps (First Division)
28/03/2011 – Mervue United 1-0 Finn Harps (League Cup)
13/05/2011 – Mervue United 2-1 Finn Harps (First Division)
29/10/2011 – Mervue United 1-0 Finn Harps (First Division)
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Finn Harps Goalscorers 2012
Adam Clarke – 4
Kevin McHugh – 4 (1 in League Cup)
Blain Curtis – 2
Paul Simon Tracey – 2
Thomas McMonagle – 1
Thomas McBride – 1
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Finn Harps Results 2012 (Harps goalscorers in brackets)
21/04/2012 – (FD) Finn Harps 1-3 Limerick (Clarke)
14/04/2012 – (FD) Longford Town 1-3 Finn Harps (Tracey, McBride, Curtis)
09/04/2012 – (LC) Derry City 4-0 Finn Harps
06/04/2012 – (FD) Finn Harps 3-0 Salthill Devon (Clarke, McHugh, Curtis)
31/03/2012 – (FD) Waterford United 0-2 Finn Harps (Tracey, Waterford o.g.)
26/03/2012 – (LC) Finn Harps 2-0 Mayo League (Mayo o.g., McHugh)
24/03/2012 – (FD) Finn Harps 0-1 Wexford Youths
16/03/2012 – (FD) Athlone Town 2-0 Finn Harps
10/03/2012 – (FD) Finn Harps 4-3 Mervue United (Clarke, McHugh 2, McMonagle)
02/03/2012 – (FD) Limerick 2-1 Finn Harps (Clarke)
