Preview Harps Game - 1st leg
By DAVID LYNCH
SUCCESS has graced Station Road with her welcome presence, very early in the history of Kildare County FC.
The Thoroughbred’s appearance in the First Division Cup final against Finn Harps is a boost to the fledgling club which the founding mother and fathers could have only dreamed.
County well deserve their shot at the First Division Cup over the two legs against the men from Finn Park.
Dermot Keely’s troops have been the most consistent side in the southern section of the First Division Cup, and victories on the road against Athlone and Kilkenny, coupled with solid performances at home against Waterford, Limerick and Cobh have been enough to move beyond the challengers.
Four victories from five matches, nine goals scored and only one conceded is the statistics of a team going somewhere fast, and Keely has forged a team in rapid quick time who seem to have the winning ways about them.
While there have been team performances of note, a number of individuals have already won the respect of the home supporters in Station Road during the early matches of the First Division Cup.
Murphy in goal has been superb, Dykes and Brennan have been sure at the back for the most part, Kelly and Zellor have been exciting on the wings, and up front various players have shown although local lad Philip Gorman has declared his worth with two important goals.
If one wanted to be more cautious, you could argue that County were lucky to have three games at home in the group section, rather than just two which a number of teams had. Others could point to the northern section of the cup as having more ‘quality sides’ with the likes of Sligo Rovers, Dundalk, and Dublin City.
However that is just quibbling, and Kildare now deservedly take on Finn Harps over two legs in the First Division Cup Final.
The first leg of the final will take place in Station Road Newbridge on Wednesday 28 August at 6.00pm the return leg will take place at Finn Park on the following Wednesday 4 September at 7.45pm.
Finn Harps will provide very testing opposition for the Thoroughbred’s in the final. Harps have reached this stage of the competition by virtue of topping the northern section of the cup competition. Showing some sparkling form, Harp’s have won three matches and only drawn two games, with no defeats.
Two weeks ago, the players of Finn Harps knew that they had to defeat Galway United by three clear goals to leap frog Sligo Rovers in the group and make it into the First Division final. They duly won 3-0, showing that the team had entered top gear just before the final against Kildare County.
Finn Harps just missed out on promotion to the Premier Division at the end of last season, after losing out in a play-off against Longford. Harps are managed by player-manager Jonathan Speaks and this will be is his second full year in charge.
Finn Harps front man Kevin McHugh is one of the hottest striker in Irish football, his goal-scoring record is phenomenal. Only 22 the Harp’s striker turned down a move to England last year and he has since scored twice against Shay Given in a behind closed doors match for the U21 team against the Irish senior team.
Despite the undoubted talent Harps will bring to Newbridge next Wednesday, you would have to fancy the home side in front of their own support in this important game.
Whether County will be able to get a result in Finn Park the following Wednesday in the return leg is more open to debate.
Venue and Time: First leg Station Road Newbridge Wednesday 28 August 6.00pm
Recent Form:
County WDLWW
Harps DWDWW
Previous Encounters: None
League Position: County (-) Harps (-)
Leader Verdict: Home Win
By DAVID LYNCH
