Finn Harps face a very big challenge this Friday night to extend their unbeaten run to four matches when Ollie Horgan’s side host Galway United in Ballybofey.
Harps do have an extra incentive to overcome the Tribesmen who have secured victories in the two previous meetings between the sides this season. Both wins for Tommy Dunne’s side came at Eamonn Deacy Park.
The first was a 1-0 league win for the hosts on April 8th. Ten days later at the same venue Horgan’s men lost 4-2 on penalties in an EA League Cup tie that had ended 0-0 after extra-time. Harps form has been impressive since the end of May starting with the draw away to Shamrock Rovers followed by the wins over Sligo Rovers (3-0 at home) and Longford Town 2-0 away). At the same time Galway’s form has dipped so Tommy Dunne will be under pressure to get a result and the visitors will be targeting this fixture for three points.
And the challenge for Horgan hasn’t been made any easier with the news that Packie Mailey (calf), Ciaran Coll (shoulder) and Gareth Harkin (medial knee ligaments) will not feature against the Tribesmen. Tommy McMonagle appears to be the obvious replacement in defence. Raymond Foy, who came for Harkin in Longford, is a contender to start against Galway. Ethan Boyle is suspended while there are doubts over the fitness of Dave Scully, Adam Hanlon and Barry Molloy.
The manager is awaiting news on whether Ruairi Keating will be eligible to play against his former club. The Sligo born striker signed for Harps on Wednesday evening. He previously had two loan spells at Finn Park.
In the build up to Friday night’s game Horgan has pointed to the poor recent record that Harps have had against the Tribesmen.
“We have struggled against Galway over the last number of years. They have had the upper hand on us. They play great football with a bunch of very talented players. Ryan Connolly is one of the best players in the league and this year they have added the likes of Kevin Devaney, Stephen Folan and Vinny Faherty to their side. They have already beaten us twice this year in the league and the EA sports cup” Horgan said.
Team News
Injured: Packie Mailey. Ciaran Coll, Gareth Harkin
Doubtful: Dave Scully, Adam Hanlon, Barry Molloy
Suspended: Ethan Boyle
RECORD AGAINST GALWAY (All Competitions)
Friday’s game will be the 67th meeting of the two clubs, and the 33rd to be played at Finn Park. This includes meetings with Galway United, Galway FC and Galway Rovers.
Total Games: 66 (31 in Finn Park)
Harps Wins: 20 (12 in Finn Park)
Galway Wins: 26 (11 in Finn Park)
Draws: 20 (7 in Finn Park)
Harps Goals: 98 (45 in Finn Park
Galway Goals: 115 (46 in Finn Park)
LAST 10 GAMES v GALWAY
01-Aug-08 Finn Harps 0-2 Galway United (Premier Division)
07-Nov-08 Galway United 3-0 Finn Harps (Premier Division)
13-Jun-09 Finn Harps 0-3 Galway United (FAI Cup)
29-Mar-14 Finn Harps 1-1 Galway FC (First Division)
05-May-14 Galway FC 1-0 Finn Harps (League Cup)
16-May-14 Galway FC 1-1 Finn Harps (First Division)
18-Jul-14 Finn Harps 0-0 Galway FC (First Division)
20-Sep-14 Galway FC 3-0 Finn Harps (First Division)
09-Mar-15 Galway United 3-2 Finn Harps (League Cup)
08-Apr-16 Galway United 1-0 Finn Harps (Premier Division)
18-Apr-16 Galway United 0-0 Finn Harps (4-2 on penalties) (League Cup)
OUR LAST MEETING WITH GALWAY UNITED
18th April 2016. Eamon Deacy Terryland Park. League Cup 2nd Round.
GALWAY UNITED 0
FINN HARPS 0
(Galway won 4-2 on penalties)
Galway United: Kevin Horgan; Cormac Rafferty, Paul Sinnott, Stephen Folan, Marc Ludden; Gary Shanahan, Eric Foley (Killian Cantwell 103), Alex Byrne (Ryan Connolly 84), Conor Melody (Vinny Faherty 71); Ruairi Keating, Padraic Cunningham.
Finn Harps: Ciaran Gallagher; Ryan McConnell, Keith Cowan, Thomas McMonagle, Matthew Crossan; Ethan Boyle, Michael Funston (Ryan Curran 57), Raymond Foy, Liam Flatley; Michael Rafter (Tony McNamee 65), Kevin McHugh (Gareth Harkin 84).
