After last week’s 2-2 draw against Cobh Ramblers at St. Colmans Park, Finn Harps are on the road again on Saturday night when they make the trip to the City Calling Stadium to take on runaway First Division leaders Longford Town (kick-off 7.45pm).
Tony Cousins’ Longford side are certainly living up to their pre-season billing of First Division favourites and have lost only once this season – that defeat coming in their early season trip to Finn Park in March, when Kevin McHugh’s goal was the difference between the sides.
Harps boss Peter Hutton said his side will travel to Longford on Saturday with nothing to fear, knowing his team have already got the better of their hosts once already this season.
“The previous game against Longford was a real battle and I expect it to be no different this time around,” said Hutton.
“Longford on the night were unfortunate to lose a couple of players early in the game and from what I’m led to believe have now an entirely fit first team squad at their disposal which is a nice dilemma to have. Our players though should need no motivation for this game as it’s a challenge taking on the current runaway leaders in their own patch. Many may not give us much hope but over recent games we’ve done well in Longford and we’ll approach the game in a positive frame of mind.”
Twice last season Harps travelled to Saturday’s venue and came away with victories on each occasion, so Hutton and co are well aware they are capable of getting a result at the weekend.
Last season Longford started the season in much the same fashion, of for much of the campaign were the only serious challengers to eventual First Division Champions Limerick. However, they lost their chance of promotion as their good form disappeared towards the end of the season and eventually lost their play-off tie against Waterford United.
Last weekend, Harps made the long trip to Cobh and came home with a share of the spoils after a 2-2 draw in St. Colmans Park. Twice the visitors came from behind, with Kevin McHugh and Sean McCarron back amongst the goals for Harps.
“I was happy with the performance of the players on Saturday night,” said Hutton of the game. “It was possibly the best football we’ve played in a few games.
“The boys also showed tremendous character to come from behind twice and really we could have won it with the chances we had after that. I thought that those players that came into the team acquitted themselves well and gave us a freshness and spring in our step.
“Cobh have shown that they will be very difficult to beat particularly at home, especially when you consider they had already put five goals past Wexford and Mervue and three past Longford then they certainly possess an attacking threat. So coming away from there with a point isn’t a bad result at all. I’m sure most supporters in attendance on the night would agree we were good value for our point, if not more.”
Hutton has a near full strength squad to pick from for the trip to Longford. Tommy McMonagle continues to undergo rehab on his foot injury, but other than that everyone is available.
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TEAM NEWS
Suspended: None
Doubtful: Tommy McMonagle (foot).
Injured: None.
Form Guide (last six league games)
Finn Harps: D-D-L-W-L-D (6 pts)
Longford Town: W-D-W-W-W-D (14 pts)
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Last six away games against Longford Town
06-Mar-10 – Longford Town 3-2 Finn Harps (First Division)
13-Aug-10 – Longford Town 1-0 Finn Harps (First Division)
03-Jun-11 – Longford Town 0-0 Finn Harps (FAI Cup)
09-Jul-11 – Longford Town 3-2 Finn Harps (First Division)
14-Apr-12 – Longford Town 1-3 Finn Harps (First Division)
11-Aug-12 – Longford Town 0-1 Finn Harps (First Division)
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Finn Harps Goalscorers 2013
Kevin McHugh – 5
Sean McCarron – 4
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)
04-May-2013 – AL – Cobh Ramblers 2-2 Finn Harps (McHugh, McCarron)
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)