Finn Harps determined

UNBEATEN in their dealings with Premier Division clubs this year, Finn Harps travel to Bohemians tonight looking to cause the…

UNBEATEN in their dealings with Premier Division clubs this year, Finn Harps travel to Bohemians tonight looking to cause the only upset of the quarter finals of the Harp Lager FAI Cup.

Sligo, Derry and Athlone all came away from Ballybofey without getting the better of the home side before Bohemians were held there on Saturday. Bohemians goalkeeper Dave Henderson knows only too well this tie still has some way to run.

"People might say that we are now the favourites in Dalymount, but Athlone probably fancied their chances when they managed a draw up there and we all know what happened to them," he says in reference to Town's 4-1 defeat at the hands of Harps in St Mel's Park.

A repeat of that sort of scoreline seems out of the question against a much steadier Bohemians defence. But there is certainly no lack of confidence in the Donegalmen's camp, with club secretary Pat Gallen remarking: "We're not overawed in any way by going to Dalymount."

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The visitors have Pierce Walsh, who missed Saturday's outing through suspension, available again for this evening's fixture, while Ray McGuinness is likely to start again despite being sent off in the original tie at the weekend.

For the Dubliners, James Coll is expected to miss the remainder of the season having dislocated his shoulder against Sligo last week, but Henderson was full of praise yesterday for the veteran defender's replacement, Mick Moody.

"I thought our defence played well and Mick Moody was brilliant. Jonathan Speak is always dangerous, but Mick kept him very quiet throughout the whole match," he said.

Both sides have, of course, big things on their minds in the league. Turlough O'Connor's side are looking to take the league title, while Harps are chasing promotion and Gallen says: "Promotion has to the priority for us now."

Emmet Malone

Emmet Malone

Emmet Malone is Work Correspondent at The Irish Times