League Preview: Finn Harps -v- Longford Town

FINN HARPS

After succumbing to a 4-1 defeat away to St Patrick’s Athletic last time out, Finn Harps welcome Longford Town to Finn Park on Friday evening (kick-off is at 8pm).

Harps can feel aggrieved to have lost by three at Richmond Park on Monday night – with Ollie Horgan’s side unfortunate to have been on the wrong side of some controversial refereeing decisions on the night.

But they will be looking to shake that disappointment off on Friday as they welcome Daire Doyle’s struggling side to the North-West.

“Longford are a damn good side, as are all the teams in the Premier Division,” Horgan told his club’s media team.

“We got a draw there earlier in the year which looks like a good result at the minute.

“They ran riot up in Dundalk there last weekend and came away with a draw and were unlucky not to take all three points.

“There are some fine footballers in that squad at both ends of the pitch, especially on the attack and they’ll present a very tough task now on Friday.”

In team news, Karl O’Sullivan is once again available for selection having missed Monday’s defeat through suspension.

Johnny Dunleavy, Stephen Folan, Mark Timlin, Tony McNamee, Ryan Connolly, Shane McEleney and Tunde Owolabi are all unlikely to feature for Harps.

LONGFORD TOWN

After a demoralising 2-1 defeat at home to relegation rivals Waterford last time out, Longford Town visit Finn Harps looking to find signs of life ahead of this season’s relegation tussle they are embroiled in.

Town are winless since the opening day of the season – and have picked up five points from a possible 48 since.

Their last point came against Dundalk at Oriel Park just last week, but Monday’s damaging defeat has done plenty to throw that optimism away.

The Red and Black fell behind early on in Monday’s loss before then levelling though in-form Aaron McNally minutes later.

But they would concede from a set-piece yet again in the early stages of the second-half and were unable to find a way back into the game.

To further add to their misery, Mick McDonnell was shown a straight red card after he was adjudged to have stamped on Adam O’Reilly.

McDonnell will now miss Friday’s trip to Ballybofey with suspension along with long-term absentee Callum Warfield.

Referee: Ben Connolly.

MATCH STATS

The last time both teams played each other in the Premier Division at Finn Park, it was Longford Town who ran out 1-0 winners.

The previous occasion the teams met in a league game in Ballybofey, Harps eased to a 3-0 win over the Red and Black during the year they won promotion to the Premier Division.

BETTING

Finn Harps 7/10; Draw 12/5; Longford Town 15/4.

PREDICTION

Finn Harps 2 - 0 Longford Town

Finn Harps

Injured: None.

Doubtful: Johnny Dunleavy, Stephen Folan, Mark Timlin, Ryan Connolly, Shane McEleney, Tunde Owolabi, Tony McNamee.

Suspended: None.

Longford Town

Injured: Callum Warfield.

Doubtful: None. 

Suspended: None.