League Preview: Finn Harps -v- Cork City

FINN HARPS

Finn Harps welcome league leaders Cork City to Finn Park in the televised fixture on Monday evening (kick-off 7.15pm) having slipped back into the relegation zone.

Successive league defeats to relegation rivals Galway United and St Patrick’s Athletic, either side of a thrilling 4-3 FAI Cup win over Bohemians, have seen Harps sucked back in.

Harps fell to a crushing 4-0 defeat away to Pats on Friday night as a late double from Kurtis Byrne and another from Conan Byrne was compounded by Eddie Dsane’s red card.

And Ollie Horgan’s side’s game in hand is about as difficult as they come against the champions-elect, who didn’t do them any favours by losing to Sligo Rovers on Friday.

Horgan will welcome back Paddy McCourt from suspension but Caolan McAleer and Dsane are both suspended.

Packie Mailey and Danny Morrissey were only fit enough to take to the bench on Friday night and could return to the starting line-up against Cork.

CORK CITY

Having gone undefeated in their first 22 league games, Cork City have now been beating in their last two league games at home.

Struggling Sligo Rovers emerged 1-0 winners from Turner’s Cross on Friday thanks to a goal just after half-time from midfielder Rhys McCabe.

“The good thing about having a game so soon is that we have to pick ourselves up and go again,” assistant manager John Cotter told the club’s website.

“The lads are all experienced and they’ve been brilliant all year, and our focus now is on bouncing back with three points tomorrow night. Fellas are bound to be a bit stiff and tired with so many games and all the travelling, but I have no doubt that they’ll be alright.”

“Harps are tough, and they are good, honest lads which comes from their management. The job they have done to keep them up last year and this year so far has been excellent.

“It is a tough venue and they give you nothing easy up there. They have a bit more quality this year as well and we will have to be at our best to get three points up there.”

“I think Harps at home will normally come out and have a go. Their home record is very good and we have to be prepared for that.”

John Dunleavy is the only confirmed absentee through injury and there are no suspensions, but manager John Caulfield may rotate due to the short turnaround.

Referee: TBC

MATCH STATS

Harps and Cork have met twice in the league this season, with the league leaders predictably having the upper hand in both games.

City squeaked by Harps 1-0 at Finn Park on the opening day thanks to a Sean Maguire goal before putting up a much more impressive 5-0 scoreline at Turner’s Cross in May.

BETTING

Finn Harps 6/1; Draw 3/1; Cork City 1/2.

PREDICTION

Finn Harps 0 – 2 Cork City

Finn Harps

Injured: Unavailable.

Doubtful: Unavailable.

Suspended: Eddie Dsane, Caolan McAleer.

Cork City

Injured: John Dunleavy (knee).

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.