Finn Park
After recording their second win of the season against Longford Town last Saturday night, a tough task awaits on Friday if Finn Harps want to make that a trio of victories as St. Patrick’s Athletic make the tip to Finn Park (KICK-OFF 8pm).
While the Saints were a good outside bet for the title before the start of the season, two defeats in their opening five games – both in Inchicore – have dampened that expectation somewhat. Even so, they will come to Ballybofey on Friday as firm favourites to pick up all three points.
“St. Pat’s are a top side and play excellent football,” said Harps boss Ollie Horgan ahead of Friday’s game.
“We need to be at our best to make it hard for them at least. However, if we perform like we did in the last half an hour against Longford (last Saturday) that won’t be good enough.
“We know plenty about them from the FAI Cup semi-final two years ago when we came out the wrong side of a heavy defeat,” warned the Harps boss.
“Pat’s have serious quality all over the pitch from Brendan Clarke in goals to Christy Fagan up top. They have added the likes of David Cawley, Billy Dennehy and Mark Timlin, all top class, quick and exciting players. We know that we will have our work cut out to stay with them,” he said.
Harps will go into the game though with a certain degree of confidence having recorded their second win of the season last Saturday with a 1-0 victory over Longford Town at Finn Park.
“It was obviously great to get the win on Saturday night and up until the goal we probably deserved to go in front,” said Horgan of the game.
“However from scoring the goal to the end of the game, Longford took the game to us and we were hanging on in the end.”
Harps now have seven points from their opening five games and Horgan feels that is probably about right.
“I don’t think we could have achieved any more points in the five games,” he said. “We stole a few points in that but possibly lost one against Shamrock Rovers but we aren’t complaining.”
Barry Molloy, Josh Mailey and Sean Houston remain out and are still all at least a month away from returning. Ciaran Coll and Ryan Curran are slight doubts having picked up knocks in last week’s game against Longford.
Michael Funston is set to make his 300th appearance for Harps on Friday night if he plays any part in the game. In doing so, Funston will become the 10th player to reach that milestone for the club.
Harps don’t have the best of records against St. Pat’s and you have to go all the way back to 2001 to find their last victory over the Saints – that coming in a 4-1 scoreline at Richmond Park. In their last 25 meetings with Friday’s opponents, Harps have only won twice with three draws – Pats have won all the rest!!
TEAM NEWS
Suspended: None.
Doubtful: Ciaran Coll, Ryan Curran.
Injured: Barry Molloy (knee), Sean Houston (hamstring), Josh Mailey.
RECORD AGAINST ST. PATRICK’S ATHLETIC (All Competitions)
Friday’s game will be the 60th meeting of the two clubs, and the 27th to be played at Finn Park.
Total Games: 59 (26 at Finn Park)
Harps Wins: 18 (11 at Finn Park)
St. Pat’s Wins: 29 (9 at Finn Park)
Draws: 12 (6 at Finn Park)
Harps Goals: 84 (38 at Finn Park)
St. Pat’s Goals: 96 (32 at Finn Park)
LAST 10 GAMES v ST. PATRICK’S ATHLETIC
28-Nov-00 St. Patrick’s Athletic 2-1 Finn Harps (League Cup)
23-Dec-00 Finn Harps 0-1 St. Patrick’s Athletic (Premier Division)
13-Apr-01 St. Patrick’s Athletic 1-4 Finn Harps (Premier Division)
08-Apr-05 St. Patrick’s Athletic 2-0 Finn Harps (Premier Division)
02-Jul-05 Finn Harps 0-2 St. Patrick’s Athletic (Premier Division)
30-Sep-05 St. Patrick’s Athletic 0-0 Finn Harps (Premier Division)
11-Apr-08 Finn Harps 0-3 St. Patrick’s Athletic (Premier Division)
06-Jul-08 St. Patrick’s Athletic 5-1 Finn Harps (Premier Division)
03-Oct-08 Finn Harps 0-1 St. Patrick’s Athletic (Premier Division)
05-Oct-14 St. Patrick’s Athletic 6-1 Finn Harps (FAI Cup)
