Finn Harps will be looking to put to an end a winless run of five games when Shamrock Rovers ‘B’ visit Finn Park on Friday evening (kick-off 8pm).
Harps haven’t won in any of their last five games, picking up just two home draws with Wexford Youths and Galway FC.
Since beating the Hoops 3-0 at Tallaght earlier in the season, they have managed just one victory – that coming in the following game against Cobh Ramblers at Finn Park.
The three away losses though came against the teams that many feel will be the top three at the end of the season – Shelbourne, Longford Town and Waterford United.
Shamrock Rovers second string come to Ballybofey on Friday evening having won two of their last three games and sit level on points with Harps in the League table with just goal difference separating the clubs.
“Shamrock Rovers have improved a lot since we played them last March, so Friday’s game will be very difficult,” said Harps boss Ollie Horgan ahead of this weekend’s game. “They have beaten both Longford and Cobh in last couple of weeks and will prove tough opposition for us.”
Harps have lost their last two games – both on the road – and while Horgan felt they should have got something out of the Longford game a fortnight ago, he said they got exactly what the deserved last weekend in Waterford – nothing.
“For the first 15 minutes in Waterford we were the better side but the first goal changed all that,” said Horgan. “From there on we didn’t deserve anything out of game even when they were reduced to ten men.
“Our performances up to the Waterford game were hard working and honest. We were a little unlucky to lose in Longford and Shelbourne but we had no excuses on Friday in what was a disappointing display except for the start of the game,” continued Horgan as he reflected on the 2-0 defeat.
“The Longford result was down to a poor penalty decision but Waterford game was down to too many players off form and a couple of individual errors thrown in on top of that. The work rate wasn’t anywhere near what it was in previous games. Having said that, Waterford have improved since we played them on the opening day of the season.”
Tommy Bonner is available for selection again after missing last week’s trip to Waterford through suspension. Keith Cowan serves the third game of his four match ban while Kevin McHugh (hamstring) remains sidelined. Ruairi Keating picked up a knock in Waterford and will be assessed before Friday’s game.
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TEAM NEWS
Suspended: Keith Cowan.
Doubtful: Ruairi Keating.
Injured: Kevin McHugh (hamstring).
Form Guide (last six league games)
Finn Harps: W-D-L-D-L-L (5 pts)
Shamrock Rovers ‘B’: D-D-L-W-L-W (8 pts)
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Finn Harps Goalscorers 2014
Pat McCann – 3
Ruairi Keating – 3 (1 in League Cup)
Keith Cowan – 1
James Doherty – 1
Michael Funston – 1
Paul McVeigh – 1
Carel Tiofack – 1
Sean McCarron – 1 (in League Cup)
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Finn Harps Results 2014 (Finn Harps scorers in brackets)
25-Apr-2014 – Lg – Waterford United 2-0 Finn Harps
19-Apr-2014 – Lg – Longford Town 1-0 Finn Harps
11-Apr-2014 – Lg – Finn Harps 1-1 Wexford Youths (Keating)
04-Apr-2014 – Lg – Shelbourne 2-0 Finn Harps
29-Mar-2014 – Lg – Finn Harps 1-1 Galway FC (McVeigh)
21-Mar-2014 – Lg – Finn Harps 5-0 Cobh Ramblers (Doherty, Tiofack, McCann 2, Keating)
16-Mar-2014 – Lg – Shamrock Rovers B 0-3 Finn Harps (Cowan, Funston, McCann)
10-Mar-2014 – LC – Finn Harps 3-2 Cockhill Celtic (McCarron, O’Donnell o.g., Keating)
07-Mar-2014 – Lg – Finn Harps 0-0 Waterford United
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