League Preview: Finn Harps -v- Shelbourne

FINN HARPS

Harps are unbeaten so far this season although Friday night’s 1-1 draw with Derry City will have ended up as more of a kick in the teeth than a positive result after conceding the equalizer in the 95th minute and leaving the Brandywell with just a point.

Newly promoted Shelbourne make the trip to the North-West on Monday night (kick-off 8pm), the last time the sides met was during the 2018 First Division with the sides playing out three draws in each of their four meetings that season.

Manager Ollie Horgan has been doing his usual best at talking down his side’s chances for the upcoming fixture against the Reds.

“They won’t see themselves as one of the sides fighting down the lower end of the table this season and I don’t think they’ll be there either,” Horgan said, speaking to the club’s media team.

“They probably feel a bit hard done by not getting a point against Dundalk on Friday so that tells you what we’re up against.”

Mark Timlin is out for the season with a tear to his ACL while Shane McEleney left the game against Derry with a knock and is a doubt for Horgan’s side. Derry City loanee Aidy Delap is available for Monday’s game, having been ineligible for the game against his parent club on Friday night.

SHELBOURNE

The Reds will be looking to get back on track after running Dundalk close on Friday night in Tolka Park.

Shelbourne performed admirably against the champions but came up short, losing 2-1, but after an opening day win away to Cork City the side will be looking to take another scalp on the road.



“It’s a quick turnaround after Friday so we’ve had to utilise our time as best we can in preparation and recovery,” manager Ian Morris said, speaking to the club’s website.

“Harps are unbeaten so far and Ollie (Horgan) has built a very strong squad and have got the results to show that.

“You’ve got to look at the loads players are accumulating, and there may be some games that are suited to different players with different abilities.

The only absentee for the newly promoted side for Monday night’s game is Daniel Byrne, through injury.

Referee: Rob Harvey

 



MATCH STATS

This is the first meeting between the sides since July 2018 in the First Division— Harps and Shelbourne played out a 0-0 draw in Ballybofey that night.

That 2018 season was the last time both sides were in the same division, they faced each other 3 times that season and drew each time.

The last time either side came out on top was in 2015 when the sides met 4 times. Harps beat the Reds twice in Finn Park, Shebourne won 3-2 in Tolka Park and on the opening day of the season they played out a scoreless draw in Drumcondra.

BETTING

Finn Harps 17/10; Draw 2/1; Shelbourne 8/5.

PREDICTION

Finn Harps 1–0 Shelbourne

 

 

Finn Harps

Injured: Mark Timlin.

Doubtful: Rafael Cretaro and Shane McEleney.

Suspended: None.

 

Shelbourne

Injured: Daniel Byrne.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.