After losing their unbeaten home record in last weekend’s 1-0 defeat against Waterford United, Finn Harps will be looking to get back on track again when they face their longest away trip of the season on Saturday night as they travel to St. Colmans Park to take on Cobh Ramblers (kick-off 7.45pm).
Harps boss Peter Hutton was disappointed his side lost to Waterford last Friday night. Although he felt his side were poor, he didn’t feel that the visitors deserved to leave Finn Park with the full quota of points.
“I thought we were poor overall – we lacked an intensity and energy to our play and in essence were much too slow and predictable in our play,” said Hutton of the Waterford defeat.
“In fairness though we certainly didn’t deserve to lose the game, maybe we didn’t do enough to justify the three points but Waterford will no doubt count themselves fortunate to go away with all three points.”
Padraic Quinn’s goal for Waterford was the first time that Harps have conceded at home since this Saturday night’s opponents scored on their visit to Finn Park in mid-March. Hutton feels his team are much stronger defensively this year, but said that the lack of goals could be something to worry about if it isn’t addressed soon.
“Yes, defensively we’ve been doing fine,” said Hutton. “I think Ciaran Gallagher had a very comfortable night against Waterford as barring an excellent save in the first half he had little else to do except take the ball out of the net. Defensively we’ve been doing well irrespective of who’s played in the back five with great contributions from all those involved so far this season.”
“Of course if you don’t score goals then you can’t win games so of course that is a worry but it isn’t something I’m stressing over just yet,” said Hutton about the lack of goals.
Harps have scored just once in their last four games – that coming in the 1-0 victory over Salthill Devon two weeks ago. “We need more players to contribute to both creating and scoring goals from all areas of the park and that in itself requires a real desire and will to get into those more advanced positions,” he said.
Looking ahead to Saturday’s game, Hutton said his troops will be well prepared for the long journey south to Cobh and the battle that will follow at St. Colmans Park.
“It’s an arduous journey but we will prepare for it correctly with no doubt some very dodgy DVDs from Keith Cowan and co.” joked Hutton.
“We will travel down the day before and ensure we are focused and determined to record a favourable result. Cobh have been doing well particularly at home so it will be as every week is, a tough test. We have to get back to having that inner belief and confidence in our play as I feel the early weight of expectation has had an adverse reaction on some players.
“Players need to grasp the challenge and see such expectation as an incentive, a challenge if you’d like rather than a burden but I’ve no doubt this group of players will rise to the challenge and prove a few doubters wrong.”
It’s difficult to predict how Saturday’s game is likely to pan out. Harps eight games so far this season have produced the fewest number of goals (just 15 in total), while the eight games involving Cobh have had the most number of goals – 32 in total.
The early season game between the two sides at Finn Park produced five goals, with Harps running out 4-1 winners. Sean McCarron and Kevin McHugh had Harps two up within seven minutes, before Conor Meade pulled one back for Cobh mid-way through the first half. McCarron restored Harps’ two goal advantage with three minutes of Cobh scorning, before McHugh got his second late in the game.
On the team front, Hutton has doubts only over the fitness of centre-back Tommy McMonagle. “Tommy remains out and will receive results from a second scan this week so hopefully that will be positive news,” said Hutton who also confirmed that Sean Reilly has left the club. “Sean feels that it’s best for him to return to the U.S. and continue his career there and we thank him for his short spell with Harps and we wish him every success in his future.”
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TEAM NEWS
Suspended: None
Doubtful: Tommy McMonagle (foot).
Injured: None.
Form Guide (last six league games)
Finn Harps: W-D-D-L-W-L (8 pts)
Cobh Ramblers: D-L-D-W-D-L (6 pts)
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Last six away games against Cobh Ramblers
05-Jun-04 – Cobh Ramblers 2-4 Finn Harps (First Division)
08-Jul-06 – Cobh Ramblers 1-2 Finn Harps (First Division)
04-Nov-06 – Cobh Ramblers 3-0 Finn Harps (First Division)
25-Mar-07 – Cobh Ramblers 1-0 Finn Harps (First Division)
28-Jul-07 – Cobh Ramblers 0-0 Finn Harps (First Division)
23-May-08 – Cobh Ramblers 1-3 Finn Harps (Premier Division)
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Finn Harps Goalscorers 2013
Kevin McHugh – 4
Sean McCarron – 3
Thomas McMonagle – 2
Thomas McBride – 1 (in League Cup)
Matt Harkin – 1 (in League Cup)
James Doherty – 1 (in League Cup)
Marc Brolly – 1 (in League Cup)
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Finn Harps Results 2013 (Harps goalscorers in brackets)
26-Apr-2013 – AL – Finn Harps 0-1 Waterford United
19-Apr-2013 – AL – Finn Harps 1-0 Salthill Devon (McMonagle)
12-Apr-2013 – AL – Athlone Town 1-0 Finn Harps
05-Apr-2013 – AL – Finn Harps 0-0 Wexford Youths
29-Mar-2013 – AL – Mervue United 2-2 Finn Harps (McMonagle, McHugh)
23-Mar-2013 – AL – Finn Harps 1-0 Longford Town (McHugh)
15-Mar-2013 – AL – Finn Harps 4-1 Cobh Ramblers (McCarron 2, McHugh 2)
08-Mar-2013 – AL – Waterford United 1-1 Finn Harps (McCarron)
03-Mar-2013 – LC – Mayo League 1-4 Finn Harps (Harkin, Doherty, Brolly, McBride)