FAI Cup Preview: Finn Harps -v- St Patrick's Athletic

FINN HARPS

Ollie Horgan’s side have gone six games without a win in the Premier Division with their last win coming over Sligo Rovers on the first day of the season.

Harps will be desperate to get any win when St Patrick’s Athletic visit the north west on Monday night in the FAI Cup (kick-off 7.45pm).

The Donegal side have a quick turnaround to play the Saints having only faced them last Friday, losing 2-0 in Inchicore.

The game on Monday will be their fourth in ten days and, according to Horgan, that’s something that’s having an impact on the health of his squad.

“Pat’s probably didn’t have to come out of second gear to win it, which seems to be a recurring theme with us, but for us it’s nothing new it’s just to try and pick up a point somewhere away from home but it wasn’t to be,” Horgan said, speaking after his side’s loss on Friday night.

“We have a cup game on Monday which we look forward to and lick our wounds tomorrow.

“We need to win a game somewhere.

“The only complaint we have is that coming back from five and a half months with no football to four games in nine days, we have a lot of bodies out and we patched lads up to play tonight.

“Is that a reason we lost? Absolutely not, but I just think medically, it’s wrong.

“For lads that have to go out to play tonight who were carrying injuries, we already had lads out a number of weeks and we’ve picked up a couple of more knocks and we’ve got to patch them up and go on Monday and I think that’s unfair to any team.”

Harps will be without the injured Mark Timlin, while Barry McNamee and Leo Donnellan are doubts for Monday night's game.

ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC

Stephen O’Donnell will be hoping his side can carry over their dominance against Harps into their FAI Cup clash in Finn Park on Monday night.

The Saints won 2-0 in Richmond Park last Friday night and a repeat of that result would see the Dublin club through to the last 16 of the competition.

"We were happy to bounce back on Friday and we were much better,” O’Donnell said, speaking to the club’s website.

“We still have lots and lots to improve on and levels to go up that we want to get to. Full credit to the boys as it was a good response from the Derry defeat and in what was such a short turnaround.

“It was a solid 2-0 win and it was good to see Georgie Kelly get off the mark as well, but ultimately so long as the team are scoring goals that's my main concern. I am not necessarily over eager or too bothered where the goals come from so long as the team are creating chances and putting them away.

"Monday is our fourth game in 10 days so it's a very tough schedule so we'll need the full squad and everyone is travelling up to Donegal. The cup gives us a break from the league.

“It's only four games and you could get into a cup final, so that'll be our aim as much as it will be for Finn Harps too.

"It doesn't seem that many games to potentially get to a final so it's something exciting, but look it'll be tough starting from Monday against Harps who will be looking for a bit of retribution following Friday's game.

“It is always tough up there and we know that you have to compete with Finn Harps in the physical stakes if you want to have any chance of winning."

In team news, the Saints have a full squad to choose from for the FAI Cup clash.

Referee: Neil Doyle

MATCH STATS

Finn Harps have not won an FAI Cup game since August 2018 when Bray Wanderers took them to extra-time, with the Donegal side eventually emerging as 3-1 winners.

The Saints have won the last four meetings between the sides.

May 2017 was the last time Harps recorded a win over Monday night’s visitors to Finn Park. Ollie Horgan’s men won 3-1 on the night.

BETTING

Finn Harps 11/4; Draw 9/4; St Patrick’s Athletic 5/6.

PREDICTION

Finn Harps 1–0 St Patrick’s Athletic

Finn Harps

Injured: Mark Timlin.

Doubtful: Barry McNamee, Leo Donnellan.

Suspended: None.

St Patrick’s Athletic

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.