EA Sports Cup Preview: Finn Harps -v- Sligo Rovers

A North-West Derby on Easter Monday sees Finn Harps host Sligo Rovers in the EA Sports Cup Second Round. (Kick-off 6:00 PM)

FINN HARPS

Finn Harps manager Ollie Horgan will have to make changes to his starting 11 for Monday’s second round EA Sports Cup clash with Sligo Rovers in Ballybofey following the injuries sustained by Jonny Bonny, Barry Molloy and Paddy McCourt in Friday night’s league win over Derry City at Maginn Park. 

Strikers Ciaran O’Connor and Danny Morrissey have missed the last two games due to hamstring problems while Eddie Dsane didn’t feature against the Candystripes because of a back injury. Caolan McAleer misses the Sligo game due to suspension.

Horgan also has an eye on next Friday night’s home Premier Division game against Drogheda Utd as he finalises his starting team for the Sligo game.

“Its looking like we will be down a lot of bodies for the game against Sligo Rovers. First of all Caolan McAleer is out because of a suspension. There was a big downside to the win over Derry because of the injuries picked up by Paddy McCourt, Barry Molloy and Jonny Bonner.

“Danny Morrissey and Ciaran O’Connor have been out for the past couple of weeks and Eddie Dsane couldn’t play on Friday night because of a back problem”.

“There is also the league game to come against Drogheda next Friday night but we just have to get on with it. So there will be changes for the Sligo game and it is a chance for other players to come in and make a claim for regular places in the team” Horgan said.

The Harps boss is expecting a very competitive game against Sligo where Declan McIntyre is now caretaker manager following the departure of Dave Robertson. McIntyre is a former Harps player and also had a goalkeeping coaching role at the Donegal club. 

Last month Harps snatched a big three points against Sligo in Ballybofey thanks to a very late Ciaran O’Connor goal. 

“Sligo will be coming to Ballybofey to win especially after the way they lost to us in the league game last month. So it’s going to be a real battle to get a win against them. They have a lot of really talented players so we need to be up for the challenge. 

"With the injury list we have at the moment there will be changes and its up to the lads coming in to take their chance and give us a decent chance of getting through to the next round” Horgan said.

SLIGO ROVERS

Sligo Rovers travel to Ballybofey on Bank Holiday Monday for an EA Sports Cup fixture with Finn Harps.

Rovers have already met their neighbours in a league fixture earlier in the season, going down to a 2-1 defeat in Finn Park thanks to a stoppage time Ciaran O’Connor goal .

The Bit o' Red have exited this competition to Derry City in the last two seasons but go in search of a first away win of the year.

Last time out, Sligo travelled to Dublin 24 on Good Friday to face Shamrock Rovers where a Brandon Miele strike succumbed McIntyre's men to a narrow defeat.

Obviously looking to go on a decent cup run, they will also want to bounce back from that defeat from Rovers by defeating the Donegal club tonight.

Kick-off is 6pm.

Referee: Eoghan O’Shea

MATCH STATS

Monday’s game between the sides will be the 30^th meeting in the League Cup, with half of them coming at Finn Park.

Finn Harps have met Sligo Rovers the most in cup competitions in their history.

Sligo have yet to win away from home in all competitions.

Both sides have met each other competitively 11 times since the turn of the century; with Sligo winning five to Finn Harps two. There has been 2 draws.

The fixture possesses an average of 2.4 goals per game.

PREDICTION

Finn Harps 1-1 Sligo Rovers

MATCH BETTING

Finn Harps 8/5; Draw 9/4; Sligo Rovers 8/5

Finn Harps

Injured: Paddy McCourt, Barry Molloy, Jonny Bonner, Danny Morrissey, Ciaran O’Connor

Doubtful: Eddie Dsane (Back)

Suspended: Caolan McAleer

Sligo Rovers

Injured: Unknown

Doubtful: Unknown

Suspended: Unknown