A place in the semi-finals of this season’s FAI Cup remains up for grabs for Finn Harps and Avondale United as the two meet again at Finn Park on Wednesday to replay their quarter-final tie (kick-off 8.00pm).
The two sides played out a 1-1 draw at Avondale Park on Sunday afternoon. After a scoreless first half, Michael Funston game Harps a 51st minute lead before Danny Long equalised for the hosts in the 77th minute.
Despite earning the replay and bringing the Munster Senior League side back to Finn Park for a midweek game, Harps manager Ollie Horgan has warned the tie is far from over.
“Sunday’s game saw two evenly matched teams and a draw was a fair result,” said Horgan. “The hot day and tempo of the game took a lot out of us and will need to recover quickly.
“It is good to still be in the cup but Avondale won’t be any easier to try to beat in Ballybofey,” he continued, “especially with a few good fresh players to come back in for replay.”
Horgan said that although Avondale are not a League of Ireland club, they would hold their own if they were a team competing in the same Division as Harps.
“While Avondale aren’t a league club, they would compete comfortably in the First Division and accumulate a substantial amount of points.
“They have loads of experience and play good football. Avondale will have a stronger team out for replay with their captain among others returning.
“They were strong enough as they were on Sunday so we know it will be very difficult to try to get through,” he said.
Harps, with home advantage, will be hoping to reach a first FAI Cup semi-final in fifteen years. Wednesday’s replay will be played to a finish on the night, with extra-time and penalties to decide the outcome if necessary.
Damien McNulty and Sean McCarron are available again after missing Sunday’s game in Cork through suspension. However, Tommy McMonagle is out while Caoimhe Bonner is a doubt.
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