Never say Finn Harps give dull moments as they have hit their stride late into the season and have ignited a four-way battle for the three remaining play-off sports up for grabs.
As rivals for fall to different opponents, Harps have struck form, last time out here a Success Edogun penalty was enough to secure three points against a resurgent Longford, who went and picked apart play-off chasing Wexford in their next game showing it was no easy feat. Next on the road it was runaway First Division champions Cork City and their vast arsenal of Premier Division quality players. Harps stormed into a 2-0 lead, first a quick goal after the ten minute mark by Tony McNamee followed by a goal by Edogun on the stroke of half-time, as the latter aims for this season’s golden boot. Sean Maguire off the bench rescued a point for the Rebels with two strikes ten minutes apart made things all square as the game finished 2-2. This game also saw young Harps goalkeeper Oisin Cooney gain plaudits as a clip of one of his reaction saves was praised and shared island wide.
Opposition Report: Kerry FC
Harps face Kerry for the final time this campaign. They enter this game in poor form which has seen them sink below Longford Town as the league’s anchor club. They may want to grind out a result in this game to avoid retaining that honour they got last season when they finished tenth with ten points. Head to head the clubs are all square so far this season with one win each and one draw so there may be an element of bragging rights in play as Kerry since their arrival have become something of a bogey fixture for Finn Harps only winning three of their seven meetings in two seasons.
Players to watch:
Despite the league position Kerry have a marksman within their ranks, current league top scorer Ryan Kelliher leads the line for The Kingdom and will be looking to add to that tally as players behind him trail by one or two goals. Sean McGrath is another player who possesses quality, the assist maker of this team he sits on five for the season and is an outlet on the right wing for Kerry. Captain, Andrew Spain is a player who always catches my eye when I get to see Kerry in action and during their 2-0 win against Harps back in May the commentary team that night said his name every minute he played showing his influence. He is definitely a commanding presence in their backline and will likely be instructing a low block against a recently free-scoring Finn Harps team.
Kerry v Harps Away Fan Guide is HERE
