League Preview: Finn Harps -v- Galway FC

• Trevor Murray
• Fri, Jul 18 2014




FINN HARPS

Third place Galway FC are welcomed to Finn Park this Friday to take on fifth place Finn Harps in a match that has make or break proportions for Ollie Horgan's men. Kick off is at 8 pm.

 

Having lost just once in their last nine games, the Donegal outfit will feel relatively confident of their chances of getting something out of the game – and they'll need to if they want to keep pace with the breakaway pack.

 

After all, the last side they failed to get any points out of were table-toppers Longford Town.

 

And Manager Horgan is well aware of the threat the visitors hold.

 

 “Galway are the best attacking side in the league with a wealth of options in Vinny Faherty, Jason Molloy, Gary Shanahan, Ryan Manning, Jake Keegen as well as Enda Curran who signed from Derry City recently. Ryan Connolly is one of the best midfield players in the league so we will have our work cut out.”

 

So far this season, matches between the two outfits have been tight, and this Friday's clash is expected to be the same.

 

 

GALWAY FC

Coming off the back of an impressive 5-0 win over Shamrock Rovers B, Tommy Dunne's charges are set to approach this clash with great hunger and determination; they're hot on the heels of both Shelbourne and Longford.

 

With American striker Jake Keegan top of the club's goal-scoring charts with six strikes, he'll be the one to watch. Not to mention, he also carries a great threat on the assists front, too.

 

Reflecting back on their clash against Shamrock Rovers' reserves side, they looked great value for the win, and they approached the encounter with great professionalism and were fluid in their offensive forages.

 

But supremo Dunne is aware that the challenge of Harps is totally different, and he's expecting a very different sort of game.

 

"The Harps game will be totally different," Dunne said.

"It will throw up different questions for us to answer, we're hoping we can go and win the game but we know how difficult it will be at Finn Park.

"Ollie Horgan has Harps in good form, they're a very well organised team and are hard to beat. We are under no illusions about how tough it will be, the aim is to secure the three points but it's going to be a tight game."

 

Referee: D. Coombes

 

MATCH STATS

Games between the sides have been valiantly fought, resulting in two 1-1 draws in the league as well as a 1-0 win for Galway in the EA Sports Cup.

 

Finn Harps have the second best defensive record in the league, having conceded a mere 13 goals.

 

In each of their respective last six games, Finn Harps have picked up nine points, whereas Galway have racked up an impressive 13, winning four.

 

BETTING

Finn Harps 13/5; Draw 9/4; Galway 10/11

 

PREDICTION

This one has all the hallmarks of  a draw, but there should be a few goals on show. A 2-2 draw.

 

Finn Harps

Injuries: None.

Doubtful: Caoimhe Bonner.

Suspensions: Michael Funston, Joshua Mailey.

 

Galway

Injuries: Martin Conneelly (achilles tendon), Alan Murphy & Derek O' Brien (both ankle injuries) and Ryan Manning (wrist).

Doubtful: Marc Ludden (ankle).

Suspensions: None.