Ollie Horgan looking for big Harps response

Finn Harps manager Ollie Horgan is hoping that his players can rise to the occasion for the visit of league leaders Cork City to Ballybofey tomorrow night (kick-off 7.00). Harps have had little time to dwell on the loss to St. Patrick’s Athletic on Friday night and Horgan feels it is not a bad thing that their next opponents are the top side in the country.
“We have had little time to feel sorry for ourselves. The most disappointing part of the of the defeat to Pat’s was the final dozen minutes or so after we went 2-0 down. The lads heads went down and that’s not good enough. I have addressed that with the players after the game. It is something that rarely happens with us but we must move on and give it our best shot tomorrow night. We were in for a recovery session on Saturday and trained again this morning. The focus is now totally on tomorrow night” Horgan said.
The Harps boss says Cork losing to Sligo Rovers on Friday night was the worst thing that could have happened in more ways than one ahead of their visit to Finn Park. “Look from our perspective Cork losing at Turners Cross on Friday night will make them all the more determined coming to Ballybofey. John Caufield will be demanding a quick return to form and a move closer to actually winning the league title. After the Pat’s defeat I’m looking for the same sort of response from our players. Realistically we need to improve a lot and hope that Cork do not return to anywhere near their best. Our very recent league form has not been good and that has change very quickly to keep us in the mix to stay in the Premier Division” Horgan said.
Harps will be minus Caolan McAleer who is serving the second of a two-match ban while Eddie Dsane is automatically suspended after being sent-off near the end of the Pat’s game on Friday night at Richmond Park. “Yes Caolan and Eddie are both out through suspension. Paddy McCourt, Gareth Harkin and Packie Mailey are doubtful at this stage for the Cork game” Horgan concluded.