Finn Harps v Shelbourne – eircom League of Ireland First Division – Finn Park, Friday 20 th July 2007 – kick-off 8.00pm

Preview by Joe Doherty

Finn Harps' new signing Paddy McLaughlin will go straight into the squad for tomorrow night's visit of Shelbourne to Finn Park. McLaughlin put pen to paper for Paul Hegarty's side last Saturday morning after training with his new team-mates for the first time. "Paddy is a very versatile player whom I have known for a long time", Hegarty said of his new signing. "He can play at right back, centre back or he can play the holding role in the middle of the park. He had done that for years in the Premier Division with Derry City. There is a great drive in him."

Hegarty will also welcome Jonathan Minnock back from suspension, while John O'Loughlin looks to have recovered from his recent injury. Michael Funston remains sidelined, as he has done for over three months.

Harps go into the game in great form, and the only blip in the last seven matches was the late goal given away to Dundalk last weekend that allowed the County Louth side of a share of the spoils. "I was very disappointed for the players because they were exceptional to a man," commented Hegarty. "I thought that we fully deserved to win. We had a couple of great chances; we hit the post and the bar and we had one cleared off the line. Had we made it two-nil then I think it was game over."

Harps face another tricky assignment tomorrow against Dermot Keely's side. Keely has signed quite a number of new players during the July transfer window, but with last weekend's game at Tolka against Kildare County falling foul of the weather, they have yet to play together in a competitive game. Hegarty said: "It is not going to be easy for us at all because Shels are a very good side. I know Dermot Keely has added a lot of good players to his squad. He has signed nearly a dozen players and they are all of Premier Division players. I think they were one of the best sides we have played this season and this will be a very competitive match."

Shels have won only twice in their last eleven league games – both victories coming at Tolka Park against Wexford Youths and Kilkenny City.

Previous Meetings:

24-Jul-04 (FAI Cup) Shelbourne 4 Finn Harps 1

06-May-05 (Premier Division) Shelbourne 3 Finn Harps 0

23-Sep-05 (Premier Division) Finn Harps 0 Shelbourne 3

28-Oct-05 (Premier Division) Shelbourne 1 Finn Harps 0

05-Jul-06 (League Cup) Shelbourne 4 Finn Harps 1

16-Mar-07 (First Division) Finn Harps 2 Shelbourne 1

Form guide (last six league games):

Finn Harps: D-W-W-W-W-W (16pts)

Shelbourne: W-L-D-L-L-W (7pts)

Friday's game at Finn Park kicks-off at 8.00pm.