Finn Harps v Cobh Ramblers – eircom League of Ireland First Division – Finn Park, Friday 25 th May – kick-off 8.00pm

Monaghan United v Finn Harps – eircom League of Ireland First Division – Kingspan Century Park, Monday 28 th May – kick-off 8.00pm

 

Finn Harps face two vital games in the space of 72 hours as they aim to shoot their way up the First Division table this week.  On Friday, Cobh Ramblers are the visitors to Finn Park while on Monday Harps face Monaghan United at Kingspan Century Park in the ‘Ulster-Derby'.

Second placed Cobh Ramblers make the three hundred mile trip north to Finn Park on Friday night to take on Paul Hegarty's Finn Harps.  Harps will be playing their fourth home game in succession after last week's trip to Tolka Park to take on Shelbourne was called off.  Hegarty was disappointed that the game was postponed.  “It was disappointing that our game was called off last weekend as we had built up a bit of momentum in the previous four games,” said the Harps boss.  “We had been going well in training in the lead-up to last weekend's game and in fact I think that it had been one of our best week's training in a long time.  However, the cancellation was out of our hands so we just have to get on with it.  It unfortunate, because when you are performing well, you want to keep playing.”

Ramblers are the inform team in the Division at the moment and have dropped just four points in their last nine games.  They started the season with two defeats and began their nine game unbeaten run with victory over Finn Harps at Turners Cross on 24 th March.  The only points that Stephen Henderson's side have dropped were in away games to the two teams on either side of them on the league table – Dundalk and Limerick 37.  “Cobh are on an unbelievable run at the moment”, said Hegarty.  “They keep winning games and are right up there with Dundalk at the top of the table.”  Hegarty said that his side will be focusing on the three points on Saturday night and won't be seeking revenge for the reversal in Cork earlier in the season.  “We've played them in Cork and lost a game we could easily have won.  It's not that we owe them one, but we could do with another result in this game.”

With the Shels game not taking place last weekend, Tony Shields will now have to serve his suspension in this week's game at home to Cobh.  Hegarty is likely to name the same team from the scoreless draw with Dundalk a fortnight ago with the exception of Shaun McGowan replacing the banned Shields.  Teenager James Doherty has been added to the squad and could take his place on the bench.

Harps' last victory over Cobh at Finn Park is almost three years ago, when they won by the only goal of the game on their way to claiming the First Division title.  Harps have won only once in five games since against Stephen Henderson's side – that victory coming last July when ten-man Harps claimed a 2-1 victory at St. Coleman's Park.  The last three games between the two sides have resulted in Cobh victories.  Cobh's only defeat on the road this season came against Wexford Youth on St. Patrick's weekend.

Then on Monday, Harps make the trip to Kingspan Century Park to take on Monaghan United who have lost four of their last five games.  Hegarty will have Tony Shields available again for this game after he returns from suspension.  Chris Breen is likely to become the 50 th player to play 100 times for Finn Harps in this match.  Harps and Monaghan drew 0-0 at Finn Park earlier this season in a game that should really have seen Harps take all three points.  Monaghan have lost four of their last five games and find themselves sitting just above Kilkenny City on goal difference at the bottom of the table.

Harps have a great record at the Monaghan venue, and you have to go back to 1994 to find the last time that Harps lost a game there – that coming in a 1-0 FAI Cup replay game when Monaghan were a Premier Division side and Harps were challenging at the top end of the First.  The last game there between the two sides was last October when a Davitt Walsh goal was enough to give Harps all three points.

Harps really must win both these games to close the gap on the top three.  After the two games at the weekend, Harps play host to third place Limerick 37 on Friday week before the League takes a two week break.

Last Six Meetings (v Cobh Ramblers):

4 th September 2004 (First Division) Finn Harps 1 Cobh Ramblers 0

22 nd April 2006 (First Division) Finn Harps 1 Cobh Ramblers 1

8 th July 2006 (First Division) Cobh Ramblers 1 Finn Harps 2

9 th September 2006 (First Division) Finn Harps 1 Cobh Ramblers 2

4 th November 2006 (First Division) Cobh Ramblers 3 Finn Harps 0

25 th March 2007 (First Division) Cobh Ramblers 1 Finn Harps 0

Last Six Meetings (v Monaghan United):

31 st October 2004 (First Division) Monaghan United 0 Finn Harps 0

16 th May 2006 (First Division) Finn Harps 4 Monaghan United 1

28 th June 2006 (First Division) Monaghan United 0 Finn Harps 0

19 th August 2006 (First Division) Finn Harps 4 Monaghan United 0

20 th October 2006 (First Division) Monaghan United 0 Finn Harps 1

30 th March 2007 (First Division) Finn Harps 0 Monaghan United 0

Form guide (last six league games):

Finn Harps: D-W-D-L-L-D (6pts). 

Cobh Ramblers: W-D-W-W-W-D (9pts).

Monaghan United: L-W-L-L-L-D (4pts).

Friday's game at Finn Park kicks-off at 8.00pm and it's the same kick-off time for the game in Monaghan on Monday night.