Finn Harps
At the start of the season, Saturday night’s game would have been one that Finn Harps would have been pinpointing as one where three points could be obtained.
Both Harps and Longford go into the game sitting on four points each and Ollie Horgan will be hoping his side can add to that tally when ‘The Town’ visit Finn Park this weekend (kick-of 8pm).
“We haven’t beaten Longford in our last 6 outings (at least),” warned the Harps boss as he looked forward to the game.
“They finished in the top half of the table last year which was a brilliant achievement and they probably didn’t get enough praise for that,” he said.
“We always hope to get something out of every home game but that is a lot easier said than done. Longford had a great win away in Wexford which as we well know ourselves is a very difficult place to get anything out of.”
Of all the teams that Harps will play this season, Longford is one of the more familiar to Horgan and his side. They were both in the First Division for a long number of years and even when they were playing in different divisions last season, the two sides met in the FAI Cup.
The Cup game saw the sides draw 1-1 at the City Calling Stadium before a scoreless draw in the replay at Finn Park. Longford won the resultant penalty shoot-out.
After last Saturday night’s 1-1 draw against Sligo Rovers in the Showgrounds, Harps warmed up for the visit of Longford with a hard fought 1-0 victory over Cockhill Celtic in the EA Sports League Cup.
“Cockhill always provide a stern test and Tuesday night was certainly that to put it mildly,” said Horgan of the game.
Harps made a number of changes on the night with some players getting their first run out of the season. “Lads that made first starts found it difficult to get their timing in particular right. At least they now have got time under their belt,” said Horgan.
Although Barry Molley, Sean Houston and Josh Mailey remain out, the injury situation at Finn Park is improving. Ciaran Coll made a quicker than expected return to the squad for last Saturday night’s trip to Sligo while Michael Rafter made his debut in Tuesday’s game with Cockhill Celtic. Dave Scully and Packie Mailey both picked up knocks in the game against Sligo and missed the League Cup game – both are still doubts for Saturday’s game.
TEAM NEWS
Suspended: None.
Doubtful: None.
Injured: Barry Molloy (knee), Sean Houston (hamstring), Josh Mailey.
RECORD AGAINST LONGFORD TOWN (All Competitions)
Saturday’s game will be the 82nd meeting of the two clubs, and the 44th to be played at Finn Park.
Total Games: 81 (43 at Finn Park)
Harps Wins: 35 (21 at Finn Park)
Longford Wins: 24 (10 at Finn Park)
Draws: 22 (12 at Finn Park)
Harps Goals: 128 (74 at Finn Park)
Longford Goals: 90 (41 at Finn Park)
LAST 10 GAMES v LONGFORD TOWN
23-Mar-13 Finn Harps 1-0 Longford Town (First Division)
11-May-13 Longford Town 2-3 Finn Harps (First Division)
12-Jul-13 Finn Harps 0-0 Longford Town (First Division)
07-Sep-13 Longford Town 3-1 Finn Harps (First Division)
18-Apr-14 Longford Town 1-0 Finn Harps (First Division)
13-Jun-14 Finn Harps 0-1 Longford Town (First Division)
09-Aug-14 Longford Town 0-0 Finn Harps (First Division)
12-Oct-14 Finn Harps 0-2 Longford Town (First Division)
29-May-15 Longford Town 1-1 Finn Harps (FAI Cup)
01-Jun-15 Finn Harps 0-0 Longford Town (FAI Cup)
