General
- Friday October 3rd, 2008 @ 9:55
HARPS TEST AWAITS SAINTS
With their exciting run in this year's UEFA Cup at an end, St Patrick's Athletic will be looking for a strong finish to the season to ensure European qualification once again. The first step on that path will be the long trip to Ballybofey to face an in-form Finn Harps.
Manager John McDonnell knows it won't be easy –
“After the game the other night it's back to the basics of the league.
“Switching back to the league after European games is something the lads have become used to this season and we fully expect a tough test up there from Finn Harps.”
St Pats have recorded comprehensive victories in both previous games between the sides this season, winning 3-0 in April in Donegal and 5-1 in July in Dublin.
The latter game saw Glen Fitzpatrick bag his first goal for the Saints and the big striker is likely to start again as injuries to Gary O'Neill (groin) and John Murphy (back) look to have ruled them out.
Dessie Byrne (hamstring), Bobby Ryan (knee) missed the UEFA Cup game with Hertha Berlin and remain out. Welsh defender David Partridge is a week away from full fitness after a shoulder injury while Stephen Paisley (pictured) is a long term absentee with a groin problem.
