League Preview: Cork City -v- Finn Harps

CORK CITY

It’s been a tough start to 2020 for Neale Fenn’s side with the Rebels sitting at the bottom of the Premier Division table with no points and no goals.

Two of their three games have been against stiff opposition with Shamrock Rovers and Dundalk aiming for the Premier Division title and Cork likely due to struggle to avoid relegation.

Those sides beat Neale Fenn’s men 6-0 and 3-0 respectively over the course of a few days and the manager will take some solace from having two of his toughest tests out of the way…until they meet again later this season.

On paper Harps might be more Cork’s level but the visitors will be going to Turner’s Cross on Friday night in good form (kick-off 7.45pm) and they’ll be a tough opponent for a team struggling to score goals.

“I think the onus is on us to take the game to Finn Harps,” Fenn said, speaking to the club’s website.

“I think they will be dogged and will sit in; from the games I have watched, that is what I would expect.

“It will be up to us to break them down and to try and get a goal. They have had a great start; all credit to Ollie and Heggsy up there. They have got a system, a way of playing and they are very difficult to break down.

“It is a tough league, it is an unforgiving league, but we are learning. If you don’t defend properly, you will get punished and we have seen that over the last two games.

“I am determined to approach this game in a positive fashion. We want to go and win the game, and I feel that we can.

“We have learned a lot over the last few games and we need to go out and show a true reflection of what we are all about.

“We are at home, and we want to go out and take the game to them. I have belief in our squad, I have belief in the players and I believe that we have goals in us.”

Deshane Dalling returns from suspension after being sent off against Shamrock Rovers and Conor Davis is the only player unavailable for Friday night’s game.

FINN HARPS

Ollie Horgan’s side are unbeaten heading into Friday night’s clash in Turner’s Cross.

An impressive 1-0 win over Sligo Rovers was followed by a 1-1 draw in the North West Derby away to Derry City— with Harps conceding deep into injury time.

The Donegal side will be looking to continue their run and they might fancy their chances with Cork’s goalscoring woes being very apparent so far this season.

The side have also been bolstered by the signing of Austrian striker Alexander Kogler from Grazer AK earlier this week although it remains to be seen if the 22 year old will play a part in Friday’s game.

Harps have had a whole week since their last game with Monday night’s game against Shelbourne being postponed due to a snow covered Finn Park pitch.

In terms of team news Mark Timlin is still out with a ruptured ACL while Shane McEleney is a doubt for Ollie Horgan after sustaining a knock during the match against Derry City last Friday night.

Referee: Neil Doyle

MATCH STATS

Cork City have won just 2 of their 13 games played since Neale Fenn took over as manager last August.

The Rebels have lost 4 Premier Division games in a row (going back to 2019), they have failed to score in each of those games.

Harps are looking to stretch their unbeaten run to 3 games on Friday night.

BETTING

Cork City EVS; Draw 21/10; Finn Harps 13/5.

PREDICTION

Cork City 0–1 Finn Harps

Cork City

Injured: Conor Davis.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Finn Harps

Injured: Mark Timlin.

Doubtful: Shane McEleney.

Suspended: None.