Harps look to close gap on Galway

Third place Galway FC are the visitors to Finn Park on Friday evening as Finn Harps look to close the gap on the Tribesmen who currently occupy the second of two play-off places in the First Division table (kick-off 8.00pm).
Galway currently have a six point advantage over their opponents on Friday, but a victory for Harps would half that deficit and keep Ollie Horgan’s side very much in the promotion hunt.
Harps go into the game in decent form having lost only once in their last nine games but will have been disappointed by picking up just a point in last week’s scoreless draw with bottom of the table Cobh Ramblers at Finn Park.
Manager Ollie Horgan is well aware that Galway is another step-up this weekend.
“Galway are the best attacking side in the league with a wealth of options in Vinny Faherty, Jason Molloy, Gary Shanahan, Ryan Manning, Jake Keegen as well as Enda Curran who signed from Derry City recently. Ryan Connolly is one of the best midfield players in the league so we will have our work cut out.
“We need a result on Friday regardless of dropping points against Cobh but we need to create more in attack and deal with an excellent attacking threat that Galway will take with them.
Caoimhe Bonner picked up a heavy knock in last week’s game with Cobh and is a doubt for the visit of Galway on Friday. Michael Funston is again suspended and will be joined on the sidelines by Josh Mailey who is also banned. Sean McCarron is available again.
The three meetings between the sides this season have been tight affairs. Both league games have finished in 1-1 draws, while Galway won the League Cup meeting at Terryland Park on a 1-0 scoreline.