DEFENDER Keith Cowan is rated as doubtful as Finn Harps face Premier Division champions Dundalk at Oriel Park tonight.
Cowan missed last Friday’s FAI Senior Cup defeat to Shamrock Rovers in Tallaght and manager Ollie Horgan says the Ramelton man could miss tonight’s game at Oriel.
Cowan scored in a 1-1 draw between the teams earlier in the year at Finn Park.
Harps have won their last three League outings and have opened up a six-point gap to bottom club UCD.
“Dundalk are a serious team who have played in the Champions League and Europa League in the last month. So that is the type of standard we have to try and match at Oriel Park,” Horgan warned.
“Our lads are realistic to know that it is going to take some performance from us and a lot of luck to even get a point against a side that is very well placed to win the Premier Division again.
“They have had a hectic schedule with the European and FAI Cup games but they will still see us as a huge chance to get closer to winning the league.
“We’ll have to hope that they are well below par for us to have a chance. But, all we can do is focus on trying to stick to our game plan and be switched on for the entire game.
“Dundalk are a full-time professional outfit and are able to rotate the squad and freshen things up when it needs to be done. We don’t have the same luxuries but we’re not complaining. Our lads would rather be going to Oriel Park tomorrow night than playing anywhere in the First Division.”
Ciaran Gallagher and Michael Gallagher remain on the injured list for Horgan.
Dundalk are on a run of 18 games unbeaten in domestic competition – including 14 league wins and two draws in their last 16 games – and John Gill believes that, despite the disappointment of last night’s exit, confidence will be high as the team return to domestic matters and the possibility of a domestic treble.
“Absolutely, we’re confident. We’re still in three competitions and we want to win all three competitions. We feel we’ve the squad to win all three competitions.