Harps face Waterford in season opener

Finn Harps will kick-off their 46th consecutive season in the League of Ireland when they host Waterford United at Finn Park on Friday evening (kick-off 7.45pm).
2014 marks the club’s 60th season in football, having been formed in 1954.  The club made the step up to the senior grade in 1969 and have remained a member of the League of Ireland since then.
Friday’s game against Waterford will be the first in charge for new boss Ollie Horgan, who was appointed Manager after the resignation of Peter Hutton at the end of last season.
Horgan has been busy over the winter months and in addition to resigning many of last year’s panel he has also brought in a number of new faces to the club.  These include former club captain Packie Mailey who returns to the club after two years away as well as Carel Tiofack from Limerick, goalkeeper Conor Winn from Dundalk and Ruairi Keating on loan from neighbours Sligo Rovers.
Horgan has doubts over a number of players with Tommy Bonner, Gareth Harkin, Josh Mailey, Carel Tiofack and Kevin McHugh sitting out last week’s friendly against Dundalk.  All five will be assessed ahead of Friday’s league opener.
Waterford have proved a difficult side for Harps to overcome in recent seasons and go into the game with only two victories in their last eighteen against the Blues.  Waterford won on each of their two visits to FinnPark last season.  The two clubs also met on the opening day of last season, with Sean McCarron’s last minute goal earning Harps a share of the spoils.