Soccer

Finn Harps boss Darren Murphy seeks home comfort

The Donegal side are looking to capitalise on rivals’ visits

Darren Murphy (right) signs a two-year contract as new Finn Harps manager with club chairman Ian Harkin
Finn Harps boss Darren Murphy (right)

SSE Airtricity League First Division Finn Harps v Wexford (Friday, 7.45pm)

LET’S make the most of it –that’s the message from Finn Harps manager Darren Murphy as his side prepares for two home games in four days against the two sides immediately above them in the SSE Airtricity League First Division.

On Friday evening, fifth placed Harps host a Wexford side who are only above them on goal difference while on Monday third placed Athlone Town – who are two points ahead – are the visitors to Ballybofey.

Murphy knows that Harps need to become more consistent, but the same could be said about most clubs in what is proving to be a very competitive division.

“While Cork are moving away at the top, everyone else is taking points off each other,” Murphy said.

Indeed, while this is a real opportunity to possibly rise to third spot in the coming days, Murphy insists that it is one game at a time.

Harps will be hoping to bounce back from a first ever defeat by Kerry in Tralee last time out.

Wexford, meanwhile, slipped up at home to Bray, having had a six-game unbeaten run prior to that.

Games between these sides invariably produce goals.

In fact, Wexford are the top scorers in the division with 31 goals in 17 matches, but they have also conceded the second highest number of goals, 29, with only bottom club Longford Town, 33, having leaked more.

Interestingly, Wexford have lost only once in their eight away games this season so coming to Finn Park will hold no fears.

Harps beat Wexford 2-1 at Ferrycarrig Park earlier in the season and Murphy would, no doubt, be happy with a similar outcome.

Incidentally, Harps will don a special third strip this evening, with some of the proceeds from sales of the popular multi-coloured jerseys going to the Bluestack Special Needs Foundation.