Match Preview- Wexford Youths V Finn Harps

Match Preview- Wexford Youths V Finn Harps

8 p.m Friday, May 24th. 

Ferrycarrig Park.

Finn harps make the long trip to Wexford on Friday night for another crucial game in one of the most competitive First Divisions in years.Both sides are coming off defeats in the EA Sports Cup. Harps fought bravely but went out after a penalty shoot-out defeat to arch rivals Derry City after the game finished 1-1 after extra-time. Whilst Wexford suffered a 4-0 hammering at the hands of Cork City, with former Youths front man Danny Furlong bagging a brace against his former club.


On the league front both sides have been in good form of late. With Harps beating league leaders Longford two weeks ago and defeating Mervue last Friday to leapfrog them into second in the league, four points off Longford.

Wexford sit fifth in the league but are just 3 points behind Harps in second and have won three out of four including two wins out of two with a 3-0 win against Salthill Devon and a very impressive 1-0 win away to Waterford with young defender Jamie Carr scoring the only goal of the game. 

Harps boss Peter Hutton will have some hard decisions to make following his sides very impressive performance against high flying Derry City with the likes of Aaron O'Hagan, Paul McVeigh, Mark Forker and Josh Mailey plus others all staking a claim for a regular first team place.

Wexford boss Shane Keegan will be looking for his side to bounce back after a poor performance against Cork but their recent league form will give the Youths confidence that they can get something in what should be a tight affair.
               

The two sides played in Finn Park earlier in the season with the game finishing 0-0. Harps will be looking towards Kevin McHugh and Sean McCarron to get the goals on Friday night the strikers getting six goals each this season. Wexford will need the likes of Glenn Hawe who's got four goals so far this season and Aidan Keenan who's also bagged four goals this season to perform if they're going to get something from this game.

Harps have a near full strength squad to chose from but Damien McNulty (knee) and Thomas McMonagle (ankle) are both doubts. Wexford will be missing Cj Browne and Jamie Carr through injury. 

Officials:                                    Betting:                                     
Ref: S Rogers                            Wexford youths:  2/1 
Assistant: P Brady                     Draw: 11/5
Assistant: B Connolly                Finn Harps: 6/5
4th official: M O'Connor