Soccer

BJ Banda may be thrust back into spotlight by Finn Harps

Finn Harps will take on Shamrock Rovers on Friday night
Finn Harps will take on Shamrock Rovers on Friday night Finn Harps will take on Shamrock Rovers on Friday night

THE Donegal teenager who grabbed the headlines with a promotion-clinching goal for Finn Harps last season could be thrust back into action on Friday.

BJ Banda hasn’t played for Harps since last November, when his extra-time goal against Limerick clinched promotion and assured him of a special place in the club’s history. He’s been in good form for the club’s U19 side recently and, in Harps’ last outing, was named on the bench for the first time this season.

The business part on the season is now upon us and Harps and Shamrock Rovers clash in Ballybofey on Friday evening with two very different targets on the agenda. After a run of four straight defeats, the Donegal club has slipped to 10th spot, just above the drop zone.

Rovers, by contrast, are hoping for a strong final surge under recently-appointed manager Stephen Bradley and nothing less than qualification for European football will be deemed as a reasonable return for the league’s most demanding supporters. Worryingly, Harps have failed to score in their last four outings and have conceded nine goals, five of them in their most recent fixture, at home to rivals Derry City.

Banda is unlikely to start, but the striker could be an option to come off the bench and would certainly lift the crowd: “Shamrock Rovers are fighting for a European spot and we’re fighting to avoid relegation, so it’s a huge match for both teams and hopefully, with our supporters pushing us on, we can get a result that will get us back on track to stay in the Premier Division,” said Harps manager Ollie Horgan,

Having been dumped out of the FAI Cup by Leinster Senior League outfit Crumlin United, Harps were free of competitive action last weekend as the third round took place. Only one Premier Division game was played, and, significantly, it resulted in Bray Wanderers beating Galway Untied 2-0. Longford remain eight points adrift at the bottom and Wexford Youths are still five behind Harps in the relegation play-off berth, but Bray are now ahead of Harps on goal difference.

The visit of Shamrock Rovers to Finn Park will certainly be another test, but having had the extra bit of time of to regroup, Horgan will be hoping his charges can secure at least a point. In the current circumstances, one suspects he would take a share of the spoils in advance if he could. Damian McNulty remains out long-term with a knee problem, but Gareth Harkin is still considered doubtful for the Shamrock Rovers visit. Horgan also has concerns over Josh Mailey, Dave Scully and Ciaran Coll.

The games between Harps and Shamrock Rovers have been very close this season. In March at Finn Park, the hosts were unlucky to lose 1-0 against the side then managed by Pat Fenlon, with Gary McCabe getting the game’s only goal in the 70th minute from the penalty spot. The two sides then drew 1-1 at the end of May in Dublin.

Kick-off at Finn Park is 8pm.