FINN HARPS have been boosted by the return of striker Ruairi Keating for a third spell at the Donegal club, but it could be the 11th hour before they know if he is eligible to play in Friday’s League of Ireland Premier Division game against former club Galway United.
Keating is highly rated by Harps boss Ollie Horgan, who has had the player twice before on loan-spells. The talented young striker, who has played European football with Sligo Rovers, has notched up 11 goals in 24 appearannces with Harps before. When he was released recently by Galway, Horgan was in quickly to snap him up.
Horgan said: "The league will get even more competitive from now on because every club will be fighting tooth and nail to secure highest possible position - especially those of us who are looking to secure our Premier status. Ruairi did well here previously and will be another string to our bow. Injuries and suspensions are always a factor, so it's vital we have options and cover for every position."
Keating is relishing the chance to get back into the blue shirt: "I really enjoyed my two previous spells here, so it's great to be back at Finn Harps,” he said.
“The squad has achieved some great results so far this season and I intend working hard to make sure Harps can be as competitive as possible for the second half of the league campaign."
The Ballybofey-based club can take another major step towards reaching the stated aim of staying in the top-flight if they can overcome Galway. With Longford Town’s prospects of staying up now looking extremely remote, the real battle is to avoid the relegation play-off position for finishing second bottom.
Rightly, Horgan isn't counting the chickens before they hatch but, deep down, he must be cautiously optimistic his team will stay in the top-flight. Harps have amassed 13 points from 20 at home this season. Crucially, they still have to play the three sides below them - Bray Wanderers, Wexford Youths and Longford Town, all at at home. Avoiding defeat could well be enough in these contests to keep the sides below from catching the Donegal side.
Galway come to Ballybofey just three points ahead of Harps in fifth place. Horgan has pointed to the poor recent record Harps have against the Tribes men: “We have struggled against Galway over the last number of years," he said.
"They have had the upper hand on us. They play great football with a bunch of very talented players. Ryan Connolly is one of the best players in the league and, this year, they have added the likes of Kevin Devaney, Stephen Folan and Vinny Faherty to their side. They have already beaten us twice this year, in the league and the EA Sports Cup,” he added.
Kick-off at Finn Park is 8pm.
