Dundalk v Finn Harps - where can I watch it and what do I need to know?

This week’s televised game sees Dundalk seek to take out the frustration from their Europa League elimination on in-form Finn Harps.

Six Champions League and Europa League games, and the FAI Cup last weekend, mean the Lilywhites have played just once in the league in six weeks.

In the same time, Harps have dropped to the bottom of the table before winning three on the bounce to move within four points of Cork City and Premier Division safety.

Despite going three rounds in Europe, Dundalk failed to win a single game in Europe and only scored twice across six games – a worrying tally for Vinny Perth.

Goalscoring hasn’t been a problem on the league front, however, as the Lilywhites top the Premier Division scoring charts with 47 goals from 25 games – an average of almost two per game.

Harps, by contrast, have the second-worst defensive record with 49 goals conceded in 28 games – an average of 1.75 – and have scored just 23, bettering only UCD, Cork City and St Patrick’s Athletic.

Harps have won each of their last three league games by a margin of 1-0 and, perhaps ominously for the champions, have won twice in front of the Eir Sport cameras in that stretch.

What time is the match?

Kick-off is 8pm.

Where is the match?



Oriel Park, Dundalk, Louth.

Who is the referee?

Graham Kelly of Cork is the man in the middle.

Are there tickets available?

Tickets can be bought at the stadium or online here.

Where can I watch it?



The game will be shown live in the Republic of Ireland on Eir Sport 1 with coverage beginning at 7.55pm.

Can I stream it online?

Eir broadband, landline and TV customers can avail of Eir Sport’s online streaming service here.

Who are they key players to watch?

The key man to watch for Dundalk will be Jamie McGrath, who continued to enhance his growing reputation despite the Lilywhites’ travails against Slovan Bratislava.

The former UCD and St Patrick’s Athletic man has emerged as the key playmaker for Vinny Perth’s side as Patrick McEleney is yet to rediscover the form exhibited in his first spell at Oriel Park.

Few would have predicted this at the start of the season but Finn Harps’ dangerman at the present moment is undoubtedly the unassuming Australian Harry Ascroft.

The January signing from the Maltese league has been used across defence and midfield this season but has been Harps’ matchwinner in each of the last two games.

His was the header that sealed a 1-0 win against Derry City at Finn Park last month and a thunderbolt two weeks ago was enough to seal the same fate for Bohemians. What odds a repeat?

Team news:

Keeper Ciaran Gallagher misses out and captain Keith Cowan is a doubt for Harps, while Dundalk are missing Robbie Benson, Jordan Flores and Stephen Folan.

Read the full match preview here.

Betting:

Dundalk 1/12; Draw 9/1; Finn Harps 28/1.

Full list of SSE Airtricity League fixtures (all 7.45pm kick-off unless stated):

Dundalk -v- Finn Harps (8pm)

Bohemians -v- UCD

Derry City -v- Shamrock Rovers

Waterford -v- Cork City

St Patrick’s Athletic -v- Cork City

Drogheda United -v- Wexford

Cabinteely -v- Galway United

Bray Wanderers -v- Cobh Ramblers

Limerick -v- Athlone Town

Longford Town -v- Shelbourne (Saturday, 7.30pm)