Airtricity League Premier Division: Bray Wanderers v Derry City (Friday, 7.45pm)
MIDFIELDER Harry Monaghan believes the mid-season break has re-energised Derry City, as they travel to Bray Wanderers tonight.
The City squad returned to training after six days off and the Scot feels they have all recharged their batteries and are raring to go.
“Training has been bang on, it has been brilliant this week,” he admitted.
“The boys have looked sharp; the tempo and intensity has been good.
“It has all been geared towards this Friday night, as I said we are looking sharp and we are all looking forward to it.”
Monaghan, who has had to play at right-back in recent weeks, feels the break may have come at a bad time, as City are unbeaten in their last 10 games.
“The break probably didn’t come at a good time for us, but that’s gone now,” he said.
“We have quality in our team; we have strength up front, strength in midfield and strength at the back, but we know that Bray are strong as well, so it will be a good game.
“Look, when you are in the team you enjoy it and that’s the most important thing. At the minute, I’m doing a job at right-back, we are winning and the team is doing well, so as a footballer that’s what you want.”
Wanderers are in somewhat of a disappointing run having only picked up two points from a possible 15 prior to the break and they have conceded nine goals in their last three games, but despite this the ex-Hibernian starlet is expecting a tough night.
“Bray are a quality side and they are going to be strong particularly at home,” he stated.
“They’ll be refreshed after the break and have regrouped and will be ready to go but we’re aware of that.
“Regardless of their form prior to the break they are still sitting high in the league table, as are we, they are just a point behind us, so it’s going to be a tough game.”
City travel to the Carlisle Grounds without strikers Rory Patterson and Mikhail Kennedy; however the former Northern Ireland international is making the trip with the squad but isn’t likely to be involved.
Elsewhere, leaders Cork City start up their quest for the title in front of the eirSport cameras when they host Munster neighbours Limerick.
Champions Dundalk travel to lowly Galway United as they look to get their title push back on track.
There’s a Dublin derby at Richmond Park, as strugglers St Patrick’s Athletic entertain Bohemians, in what is another massive encounter.
Tomorrow night in the Premier Division, Gerard Lyttle’s Sligo Rovers side host bottom side Galway United.
In the First Division, leaders Waterford come up against Cabinteely; UCD take on Shelbourne and bottom side Wexford entertain Athlone Town, while title-chasing Cobh Ramblers travel to Longford Town tomorrow evening.
Airtricity League Premier Division: Finn Harps v Shamrock Rovers (Friday, 8pm)
FINN Harps and Shamrock Rovers will both be deprived of four players each due to suspensions for this evening’s important SSE Airtricity Premier Division clash at Finn Park in Ballybofey. (Kick-off 8pm)
After a short summer break, it was a case of a double dose of suspensions when the league issued its list on Wednesday, with the bulk of the penalties being imposed for accumulating at least five yellow cards in the first half of the season. While not unexpected, the clubs were not sure if all the disciplinary measures would come into affect immediately.
Harps now find themselves having to plan with Ethan Boyle, Caolan McAleer, Damien McNulty, and Danny Morrissey.
Rovers, meanwhile, must field without Graham Burke, Trevor Clarke, David McAllister and David Webster.
Ollie Horgan, the Harps’ boss, feels that the one-game bans will impact to a greater degree on the Donegal club as it has a smaller squad.
He’s expecting a tough game against Rovers and feels that the visitors have improved in recent weeks.
“I think defensively they are better than they were at the start of the season,” he said.
Horgan still doesn’t know if Haiti international Pascal Millien will be available to feature. Harps are still waiting on paperwork to come through before the game. While he lacks match fitness, he could come off the bench if cleared to play.
With the league now into the second half, Harps lie eighth in the table and on track to avoid relegation.
But Horgan warns: “We know that there are huge battles ahead of us. I think some of the clubs below us are in a false position.”
One worry for Harps concerns whether
on-loan striker Ciaran O’Connor will stay at the club when his deal expires at the end of June.
Horgan is hopeful that Dundalk will agree to an extension and that no other clubs will come in for the talented young striker who is Harps’ top scorer this season.
Horgan has also stated that he is looking to bring in possibly three players when the transfer window opens in July.
Rovers will be targeting the game against Finn Harps as one they have to win as they push for European football.
The Hoops made a poor start to the season, but have since moved up the table and are fifth, just five points adrift of second-placed Dundalk with almost half the season to go.
When the sides met earlier in the season, Rovers won 3-2 thanks to a last-gasp goal.
It was rough justice on Harps and Horgan’s side will be hoping for a reversal of fortunes this time around.
Airtrcity League Premier Division
Friday
Bray v Derry City (7.45pm); Cork City v Limerick FC (8pm); Drogheda Utd v Dundalk (7.45pm); Finn Harps v Shamrock Rovers (8pm); St Pat’s v Bohemians (7.45pm)
Saturday
Sligo Rovers v Galway Utd (7.45pm)
