Shamrock Rovers v Finn Harps – eircom League of Ireland Premier Division – Tolka Park, Friday 8 th August, 2008 – kick-off 8.00pm

After a disappointing home defeat against Galway United last Friday, Finn Harps boss Paul Hegarty will be looking for a positive reaction from his side when they make the trip to Tolka Park tomorrow to take on Shamrock Rovers (kick-off 8.00pm).

Hegarty again will have to shuffle the pack with Michael Funston having to sit the game out due to a one match ban.  However, the Harps Manager will be able to recall veteran defender Declan Boyle and striker Stephen Parkhouse back into the squad after the missed the Galway game due to suspension.  “It's good to have the likes of Declan and Stephen back, but we're missing a couple again which has been the story of our season”, commented Hegarty.

Aaron Labonte is nearing full fitness again and could be included in the squad.  Davy Byrne, who has seen just thirty minutes of action since signing from Athlone Town last month, may shake off a hamstring injury and be available for selection.  Cornelius Gallagher and Gary Beckett remain sidelined.

“We did not play at all against Galway and it was bitterly disappointing,” said Hegarty of last week's home defeat. 

“Shamrock Rovers have been picking up points of late but we shouldn't be afraid of them.  We did very well in the second half against them earlier in the season.  I'll be expecting the same again on Friday.  It's a massive game for us and we need to get something from it,” he said. 

When Rovers visited Finn Park earlier this season, the sides played out a 1-1 draw.  Padraig Amond opened the scoring for the visitors just after half-time before Conor Gethins scored an excellent equaliser on the hour mark.  In the nine games since then, however, Harps have picked up just four points.

The Hoops are in fine form at the moment and had taken ten points from four games prior to Tuesday night's 2-1 defeat against Bohemians at Dalymount Park.  That midweek defeat in the big Dublin derby was Rovers' first reversal in seven games.

Previous Meetings:

17-Sep-05 (Premier Division) Finn Harps 3 Shamrock Rovers 0

29-Apr-06 (First Division) Finn Harps 0 Shamrock Rovers 0

11-Jul-06 (First Division) Shamrock Rovers 2 Finn Harps 0

12-Sep-06 (First Division) Finn Harps 0 Shamrock Rovers 1

10-Nov-06 (First Division) Shamrock Rovers 4 Finn Harps 0

16-May-08 (Premier Division) Finn Harps 1 Shamrock Rovers 1

Form guide (last six league games):

Finn Harps:  L-W-L-L-L-L (3 pts)

Shamrock Rovers: D-W-D-W-W-L (11 pts)

Tomorrow's game at Tolka Park kicks-off at 8.00pm.