FAI Cup Preview: Avondale United -v- Finn Harps
- John O'Shea
- Sat, Sep 13 2014
AVONDALE UNITED
Avondale United will be seeking to write their name into FAI Ford Cup history by securing a place in the FAI Cup semifinal, when they host Finn Harps at Avondale Park on Sunday afternoon.
If they win on Sunday, United will be the first non-league side since Pete Mahon’s St Francis team in 1990.
Avondale will be formidable opponents on Sunday as their recent history shows. They have won the Munster Senior League for the last three years and they have won the FAI Intermediate Cup for the last four years in a row.
There was originally uncertainty as to where the fixture would be played, with talks that the game could be moved to Turners Cross. But following an FAI ground inspection, with a temporary stand to be put in place for Sunday, the game will go ahead at the club’s base in Carrigaline.
As they are the only Cork based side left in the competition, Avondale United will be hoping that the Cork football public will come out in force to support them on Sunday.
Avondale captain Danny Long, older brother of Burnley defender Kevin Long, is hopeful that his side can make history at the weekend.
“We are well prepared and the feeling in the group is one of confidence. We are always confident in ourselves and in what we can achieve and we give ourselves a sporting chance on Sunday”
In team news, Avondale are without Simon Holland and Hughie O Donavan, who are both cup tied. Michael Mulconry and Graham McCarthy are suspended, while Eoghan Lougheed and Karl Caulfield are unavailable.
FINN HARPS
Finn Harps will be full of determination to achieve cup glory as they make their second trip to Cork in over a week, when they make the trip to face Avondale United on Sunday afternoon. They will head into the game as favourites and Ollie Horgan’s side know that a victory will put them one game away from the Aviva Stadium decider.
Last weekend, Harps made the trip to Cobh and they lost the game 1-0 and so it is far from ideal preparation to have to come back to Leeside two weeks in succession.
However, Finn Harps supports can be reassured in the fact that this is not the first long trip that the Donegal side have had to make in this year’s FAI Cup. The side made an even longer trip in the last round, when they travelled to Ferrycarrig Park to face Wexford Youths. Harps won that game 2-1 thanks to goals from Thomas McMonagle and Michael Funston.
Finn Harps had a promising start to their First Division campaign, but Harps are now out of the promotion race. This means that the cup is the be all and end all of their season at this stage
Horgan has managed sides against Avondale before and he knows that Sunday’s game will be a real test for his Harps side.
“I had many battles with them while with Fanad United. I think we played them in two quarter-finals and one semi-final of the Intermediate cup with Avondale winning on all three occasions. They have won the last four intermediate Cups – an incredible achievement – with a group of very experienced players.”
Finn Harps are without the suspended pair of Damien McNulty and Sean McCarron. Kevin McHugh is out injured and Packie Mailey is a doubt.
Referee: Graham Kelly
MATCH STATS
Avondale pulled off a giant killing back in 1995 in the FAI Senior Cup, when they beat Longford Town 2-1. In the same year they got to the quarter finals as well, when they were beaten by Shelbourne.
If Avondale United win on Sunday, they will be the first non-league side in 24 years to reach the semi-finals of the FAI Ford Cup.
Finn Harps won their only FAI Ford Cup to date in 1973/1974. Two goals from the legendary Brendan Bradley and another goal from Charlie Ferry saw Harps beat St Patricks Athletic 3-1.
BETTING
Avondale United 10/3; Draw 12/5; Finn Harps 4/5 .
PREDICTION
Avondale United 1-1 Finn Harps
Avondale United
Injured: None
Doubtful: None
Suspended: Michael Mulconry, Graham McCarthy
Cup Tied: Simon Holland, Hughie O’Donovan
Finn Harps
Injured: Kevin McHugh
Doubtful: Packie Mailey
Suspended: Damien McNulty, Sean McCarron
About John O'Shea
John is a Cork based reporter, mainly covering Cork City and Cobh Ramblers. John also reports regularly on Munster Senior League and Cork Youths League football for the Evening Echo. John has also freelanced for …