Athlone Town -v- Finn Harps

• Simon O'Gorman
• Fri, Aug 02 2013




ATHLONE TOWN

Athlone Town come into the weekend in prime position for the First Division championship run in. Not only have Roddy Collins’ side just overtaken their fierce rivals Longford Town at the top of the table but they are streets ahead in terms of momentum.

 

Athlone have won five and drawn two of their last seven league outings while Longford have won only one of their last five. But Tony Cousins’ team are not Athlone’s focus this Friday as Finn Harps roll into town to become the first team since Waterford United, nine weeks ago, to take three points away from Lisseywoolen.

 

Previous meetings this season have gone Athlone’s way with Garbhan Coughlan netting the winner at Lisseywoolen back in April, while Coughlan also scored in a 3-2 win up at Finn Park in early June.

 

Athlone fans will be confident of containing a Harps side that have failed to score in three of their last five games, while they themselves had kept five consecutive clean sheets until Conor Meade scored against them for Waterford in last weekend’s 1-1 draw at the RSC.

 

Collins has a fully fit squad to choose from with new additions Eoin McCormack (graduated from the club’s U19 set up) and Enda Curran (signed from Salthill Devon) both likely to be involved.

 

FINN HARPS

Finn Harps will be relieved to be traveling to league leaders Athlone Town having finally ended their seven game run without a win. Their 1-0 victory over Wexford Youths last weekend ended a wretched run of form for the Donegal side and Kevin McHugh’s winner marked his first goal since the win over then league leaders Longford Town back in May.

 

But with just five points from the last 24 available, Peter Hutton knows that his team have a huge task ahead of them on Friday night.

 

“Full credit to Athlone in that they have shown enormous consistency throughout their league campaign” said Hutton. “The fact that they were able to sign so many experienced players who have good League of Ireland experience, particularly in the Premier league, has certainly helped -  similarly to that of Longford’s squad.

 

“We will be ready for a stern test this Friday and given that on our two previous matches against Athlone we haven’t performed anywhere near our capability, then we need to show our true mettle this weekend.”

 

Hutton will be without the injured Damien McNulty on Friday with injury doubts also hanging over Michael Doherty and Paul McVeigh. Striker Sean McCarron, whos the club’s leading goal-scorer this season with eight in all competitions, might be available.

 

Referee: Rhona Daly.

 

 

MATCH STATS

Athlone have conceded just five league goals at Lisseywoolen this season and three of those were scored by new signing Enda Curran when Athlone drew 3-3 with Salthill Devon back in March.

 

Finn Harps last beat Athlone in the league in a 2-0 win at Finn Park on 8 October last year. Paul McVeigh and Kevin McHugh (pen) scored the goals.

 

Philip Gorman with 12 tops Athlone’s goal-scoring charts this year. Sean McCarron and Kevin McHugh have both scored 7 in the league for Harps but McCarron also netted in the FAI Cup against Wexford.

 

 

BETTING

Athlone 5/6; Draw 23/10; Harps 3/1.

 

PREDICTION

Athlone are motoring, Harps are not. A 2-0 home win.

 

 

Athlone Town

Injured: None.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.

 

Finn Harps

Injured: Damien McNulty.
Doubtful: Sean McCarron, Michael Doherty, Paul McVeigh.
Suspended: None.