Finn Harps make the trip to Richmond Park on Tuesday evening for a clash against St. Patrick’s Athletic and will be desperate to forget about Friday night’s thrashing at the hands of Dundalk.
Harps conceded seven goals to the Champions Dundalk on Friday evening, and it was the first time a team have put seven past Harps since Derry City won 7-0 at the Brandywell in a League Cup game in August 1989.
Derry were also the last side to put seven past Harps in a League fixture, when they won 7-2 at Finn Park ten days before Christmas in 1985.
“We were out of our depth on Friday night,” said a disappointed Harps boss Ollie Horgan after Dundalk’s 7-0 victory. “It was always going to be difficult against Dundalk but it became more difficult when we conceded so early in the game.
“We needed to be at our best and Dundalk at their worst to make a game of it, if anything the opposite happened! We aren’t in the same league as Dundalk and leagues apart when they play well,” he continued.
While not everyone might have been happy with the late notice of Tuesday’s trip to St. Pat’s – the game was only confirmed on Thursday evening – Horgan feels it might be a blessing and a quick chance to get the Dundalk game out of the system.
“There is no let up in games, but that mightn’t be a bad thing coming out of a heavy defeat to get started again,” said the Harps boss of Tuesday’s trip to the Capital.
“The last heavy defeat we encountered before Friday was away to Pats two years ago in the Cup (Pat’s won 6-1 in the FAI Cup semi-final at Richmond Park) so we know what we are facing,” he said.
When Harps met St. Pat’s at Finn Park last month, the home side put in one of their best performances of the season so far. However, despite dominating much of the game, Harps fell behind to two quick goals from Pat’s in the last quarter of the game when a Packie Mailey own goal and a Mark Timlin strike gave them a 2-0 lead before Kevin McHugh reduced the deficit in the final minute from the penalty spot.
Barry Molloy picked up a knock against Dundalk and is a doubt for the trip to Dublin. Josh Mailey, Raymond Foy, Michael Rafter, Matthew Crossan and Gareth Harkin remain sidelined.
TEAM NEWS
Suspended: None.
Doubtful: Barry Molloy.
Injured: Josh Mailey (groin), Raymond Foy (hamstring), Michael Rafter (ankle), Matthew Crossan (knee), Gareth Harkin (calf).
RECORD AGAINST ST. PATRICK’S ATHLETIC (All Competitions)
Tuesday’s game will be the 61st meeting of the two clubs, and the 33rd to be played at Richmond Park.
Total Games: 60 (32 at Richmond Park)
Harps Wins: 18 (6 at Richmond Park)
St. Pat’s Wins: 30 (20 at Richmond Park)
Draws: 12 (6 at Richmond Park)
Harps Goals: 85 (43 at Richmond Park)
St. Pat’s Goals: 98 (63 at Richmond Park)
LAST 10 GAMES v ST. PATRICK’S ATHLETIC
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)
11-Apr-16 Finn Harps 1-2 St. Patrick’s Athletic (Premier Division)
