Match Sponsors: HARKIN FIREPLACES

Matchball Sponsors: STRABANE / LIFFORD FHFC SUPPORTERS CLUB

Preview by Joe Doherty

The visit of Galway United to Finn Park on Friday evening is a real six pointer as both the visitors and Finn Harps battle to move out of the relegation zone.  A victory for Harps tomorrow night against fellow strugglers Galway would put Paul Hegarty's side six points ahead of the tribesmen as the middle third of the season nears an end.

Harps certainly have ample opportunity over the next few weeks to pull away from the relegation zone.  After Galway, the next two home games for the Donegal side are against the other two clubs in the bottom four – Cobh Ramblers and UCD.

Hegarty will again for to plan without a number of influential players.  Declan Boyle and Stephen Parkhouse must sit the match out through suspension, while Cornelius Gallagher, Gary Beckett and Aaron Labonte remain sidelined because of injury.  However, Stuart Malcolm and Davy Byrne may shake off troublesome injuries.

“I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I will have Stuart and Davy back,” commented Hegarty.  “But I will not know for definite until later in the week after I see how they go in training.”

“There's no doubt about it that this is a crunch stage of the season.  We have got to pick up points against the teams around us.  If we can show the same appetite and the same hunger as we did against Cork (in the last home game) then we'll be okay” said the Harps boss.

If previous meetings are anything to go by, there should be goals at Finn Park tomorrow evening.  In thirty previous league games between the sides, there has never been a scoreless draw.

When Harps and Galway met at United Park back in May, Harps twice came from a goal behind to obtain a 2-2 draw.  John Russell gave United the lead on the half-hour before Conor Gethins equalised for Harps within a minute.  Jeff Kenna's side took the lead for a second time when James O'Shea shot home ten minutes after the break.  However, Stephen Parkhouse ensured a share of the spoils for Harps twenty minutes from time with a stunning volley.

Previous Meetings:

24-Jun-06 (First Division) Finn Harps 2 Galway United 2

11-Aug-06 (First Division) Galway United 1 Finn Harps 1

14-Oct-06 (First Division) Finn Harps 0 Galway United 1

15-Jun-07 (FAI Cup) Galway United 2 Finn Harps 2

18-Jun-07 (FAI Cup) Finn Harps 0 Galway United 0 (Harps won on pens)

09-May-08 (Premier Division) Galway United 2 Finn Harps 2

Form guide (last six league games):

Finn Harps:  L-L-W-L-L-L (3 pts)

Galway United:  L-L-L-D-W-L (4 pts)

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