Healy has Harps focused

National League Cup Semi-final: As it has been for the previous three seasons, promotion is Finn Harps' main priority this year…

National League Cup Semi-final: As it has been for the previous three seasons, promotion is Finn Harps' main priority this year. But a cup final would be nice.

"I'm just trying to keep the lads focused on the next game," said manager Felix Healy ahead of tonight's second League Cup semi-final at home to Longford Town. "My attitude is to take one game at a time. We're not looking any further than that. Whatever about distractions, it's nice to play a cup semi-final and that's what we'll be doing. Getting through to a cup final for the first time in five years would be great for the fans."

Healy says he will make a couple of changes from the side that drew 0-0 at Bray Wanderers on Friday night with goalkeeper James Gallagher his only concern with an ongoing knee problem.

Longford, last year's beaten finalists, travel with confidence, despite their dreadful goal-scoring record which sees them second bottom of the Premier Division.

READ MORE

"Harps is a tricky one," said Longford manager Alan Mathews. "No disrespect to Limerick, but Bohs definitely got the handier semi. Going up there doesn't present us with a big problem as our away form is good and it's a big game which we'll be well up for."

Mathews is without midfielder Philip Keogh (Achilles).

Played to a finish on the night, with extra-time and penalties if necessary, the winners meet Bohemians in the final on August 30th.