Saints to maintain their momentum against Harps
By Daire Walsh
ST PATRICK’S Athletic will continue their quest for European qualification when they welcome Finn Harps to Richmond Park in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division tomorrow evening (kick-off 7.45pm).
As it stands, the Saints find themselves fourth in the top-flight table, and an impressive 3-1 triumph over Bohemians at Dalymount Park on Monday leaves them just four points behind Dundalk in third with a game less played. Additionally, the Inchicore men trail second-place Derry City by the same margin.
A win over Harps is vital if the Saints harbour any hopes of securing a top-three finish and results thus far this season against the Ballybofey outfit have largely gone their way.
While four goals were shared between the teams at Finn Park on June 24, Pat’s were 2-0 victors in their previous two encounters.
At the same venue back in March, Jack Scott and Eoin Doyle got the goals in a convincing success for the south Dubliners.
When the two teams renewed acquaintances in Richmond a little over a month later, Doyle grabbed a brace for the Saints.
The Firhouse native led the line to good effect in Dalymount on Monday, but left it to others to produce the eye-catching moments.
On loan from rivals Shamrock Rovers, Barry Cotter embarked on a superb run in the eighth-minute before unleashing a shot that rebounded off the face of Bohs winger Kris Twardek on its way to the net.
Chris Forrester doubled their advantage in first half stoppage-time and while former Saints defender Rory Feely pulled one back for the Gypsies, Adam O’Reilly wrapped up a 13th league win of the campaign for St Pat’s with an 89th-minute insurance score.