Cobh Ramblers host Harps as they make the final push for playoffs

AS Cobh Ramblers 2-0 win over Waterford marked one of their best performances this season and set them on course for a playoff spot, Shane Keegan will look to guard against complacency as his Rams host ninth-placed Finn Harps in the League of Ireland First Division tonight.

Cobh Ramblers have had an incredible campaign under the guidance of Keegan, and with just five games to go, every point counts. The east Cork outfit still hold a five-point lead to Athlone Town in fourth, who are also in action tonight against Treaty United at the Markets Field.

The more important gap remains to fifth-placed Wexford FC, who are nine points off the Rams, albeit with a game in hand. Longford and Bray are slipping away, as they sit four and six points behind Wexford respectively.

Harps will prove to be another tough test, as they defeated Cobh 4-3 in Donegal a couple of months ago. However, the last meeting between the sides at St Colman’s Park resulted in a dominant 4-1 win for the Rams, as a brace from Liam Kervick was supplemented by goals from Charlie Lyons and James O’Leary.

Dave Rogers’ men must win tonight if they are to have any hope at salvaging a playoff spot, after suffering a deflating 4-0 home defeat to Waterford two weeks ago, leaving them 12 points off Wexford.

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Finn Harps have never really got going this season, failing to string more than two consecutive league wins together at any stage, but have certainly performed on occasion.

They bolstered the squad in the summer window, bringing in Larne FC duo BJ Banda and Max Hutchinson, and the pair have featured in each league game since signing for the club, while new centre-forward Stephen Doherty has started every game, and is yet to make a goal contribution for Rogers’ side.

One player who has certainly been key in Harps’ 2023 campaign is Ryan Flood, with the American left back/winger featuring in all but one game this season – their 4-1 defeat to Cobh.

Flood has managed an impressive 11 goals and four assists and will be key if Harps are to get anything from tonight’s game.

Harps have switched between five and four at the back throughout the season and are likely to set up in the 5-3-2 system that proved successful in their last meeting at Finn Park.

Liam Kervick is almost certain to miss out with his broken wrist once again, but he is in with a chance for making a return to next week’s trip to Bray. Pierce Phillips is still sidelined with an ankle injury, but there is hope that he’ll return before the end of the season. Tiernan O’Brien is also unlikely to feature after his first half departure against Waterford.