League Preview: Cork City -v- Finn Harps

CORK CITY

Cork City will certainly be looking to take all three points when they entertain Finn Harps on Friday evening. The Leesiders have drawn three consecutive league games since their win over 2015 Premier Division champions Dundalk last March.

They currently find themselves sixth in the league, one place above Harps and seven points behind the league leaders Dundalk.

Speaking at the club’s weekly press conference, manager John Caulfield said tomorrow night’s clash is a must-win for his side as they continue to aim for the title.

“We need to get a win. We have drawn three games, which were all games that were winnable; we have created chances in some of those but have not taken them. I believe there is massive potential in this team and tremendous ability, but we have hit a bit of a blip where we have struggled to score goals. Thankfully, against Galway we score two and could probably have scored more and it was no harm to beat Waterford on Monday.

“It is a huge game, we are at home and we need to start putting a few wins together. I felt the team were a little down and, as the manager, it is your job to get the confidence back.”

Caulfield spoke of his admiration for Harps boss Ollie Horgan and what he has achieved at the club.

“The job Ollie Horgan has done at Finn Harps has been incredible. He has turned them around and his character, his attention to detail and his work ethic have been passed on to the team and they are fighting for their lives for him.”

Michael McSweeney, Mark O’Sullivan and John Dunleavy are all doubtful for the game as they currently carry knocks while John Kavanagh will certainly miss out through injury.

FINN HARPS

Finn Harps embark on the longest away trip of this season’s League of Ireland Premier Division when they travel down south to face Cork City at Turners Cross.

The Harps come into the game on the back of a hard-fought one nil victory over Bray Wanderers thanks to an early David Scully goal. It was the Donegal side’s third victory in what has been an impressive league start to the season so far for Ollie Horgan’s men.

Speaking to finnharps.com, Horgan felt last week’s win over Bray took a bit of deserved luck.

“I think anyone at the ground on Friday night could see that we were lucky to get the three points out of the game.

“Bray were the better team but maybe the little bit of luck that we didn't have earlier last week against St. Pat’s came back to us on Friday.”

It is also their second away trip of the week for Harps following their EA Sports Cup penalty shoot-out loss to Galway United on Monday. Horgan named a much-changed side for that trip but was impressed with what he saw.

“The Galway game gave an opportunity for a number of our players to get some game time and they acquitted themselves quiet well.

“We probably could have done without the extra-time, however, where we picked up a few injuries.”

Looking ahead to their fixture with the Leesiders, Horgan was fully aware of the massive task his squad is up against.

“It doesn't get much more difficult than away to Cork for a whole pile of reasons”, said Harps boss Horgan as he prepared for his side’s second away game in five days.

“The distance might be a long one, but that is the least of the worries ahead of the game,” he said.

“They have an excellent panel of hugely talented players, they are technically and physically very strong and have a great mixture of experience and youth. It could be a long hour and half for us,” he warned.

Barry Molloy, Josh Mailey, Keith Cowan, Tommy McMonagle, Adam Hanlon and Michael Rafter all miss out through injury while David Scully and Kevin McHugh are considered doubtful.

Referee: Padraigh Sutton

MATCH STATS

Finn Harps have only ever won once at Turners Cross in 17 attempts. They beat Cork 1-0 twenty years ago thanks to a Pierce Walsh free-kick in what was their first ever top-flight clash.

Overall, the Rebel Army have recorded 20 wins over Harps compared to three for the Ballybofey club with six draws between the sides.

Finn Harps have only picked up one point on the road so far this season while Cork are currently undefeated at home.

BETTING

Cork City 1/4; Draw 9/2; Finn Harps 10/1.

PREDICTION

Cork City 3-0 Finn Harps

Cork City

Injured: John Kavanagh

Doubtful: Michael McSweeney, Mark O’Sullivan, John Dunleavy

Suspended: None.

Finn Harps

Injured: Barry Molloy, Josh Mailey, Keith Cowan, Tommy McMonagle, Adam Hanlon, Michael Rafter

Doubtful: David Scully, Kevin McHugh

Suspended: None.