Finn Harps vs Drogheda United

• Gareth Penrose
• Thu, Sep 11 2008




Drogheda travel to Donegal to take on Finn Harps on Friday looking to get back to winning ways in the league having failed to win a game in the last three outings. (kick-off 20:00).

Finn Harps were one of three games out of ten that were not postponed last week and they made the most of it with a vital 2-0 win over fellow relegation strugglers UCD. That win put Harps four point clear of the relegation zone.

Manager Paul Hegarty believed his team deserved the win in the harsh conditions.

“It was a horrible night weather-wise and while we led 1-0, you are always worried that UCD could snatch an equaliser. The game was entertaining with no shortage of goalmouth incidents and at the end of the day I think we were deservedly rewarded with a good result.”

Hegarty is confident that if his players show the same fight against Drogheda, an upset could be on the cards.

“We know what we are up against. But if we play with the same attitude as we did last Friday night against UCD, and if we were to get the breaks on the night and the rub of the green, we might just get a result.”

In team news Marc Brolly returns to the panel after a one game suspension. Declan Boyle is fit again after missing last few games through injury. Central defender Stuart Malcolm (groin) and midfielder Davy Byrne (thigh) both picked up knocks against UCD last weekend are are serious doubts for the visit of Drogheda. Conor Gethins, Aaron Labonte, Gary Beckett and Conelius Gallagher all miss out again through injury.

The Drogs head for Ballybofey with an eye on the three available points and an opportunity to enhance their league position and chances for European qualification next season.

Declan O’Brien and Shane Barrett return from injury and Dan Connor has returned to light training however will not be available for selection. Jamie Ewings and Graham Gartland will be suspended for the clash, carrying over their suspension over from the postponed Cobh game last week.

Extratime.ie Prediction:Harps will be buoyed by the win last week. Drogheda seems to have some trouble in the camp with the club suspension of midfielder Stuart Byrne. This result has divided our team between a 1-1or a 2-1 Drogs win.