Finn Harps’ opening 10 league games for 2019 leaves a lot to be desired: Four trips to Dublin. Dundalk and Cork City on Navenny Street. Two North-West rival encounters and last season’s First Division champions.
I think it’s fair to say that the SSE Airtricity League fixture list released this afternoon has hit Finn Harps with an almighty awakening.
What happened to the Christmas season of goodwill, et al? There was certainly none of it shattered over Ballbofey today.
In fact, in the first ten league games, Harps’ will travel to the capital four times against Bohemians, St Patrick’s Atheltic, Shamrock Rovers, and UCD.
Let’s not forget a trip to an ever-improving Waterford side is also on the cards.
It’ll be a grueling opening few weeks for Horgan’s side, who also welcome Dundalk, Cork City, Sligo Rovers, Shamrock Rovers (again), and rivals Derry City to Ballybofey.
Finn Park will be imperative as ever next season, welcoming bumper gates, but with the champions of 2018 and 2017, either side of Shamrock Rover and Waterford, coming to town over February and March, it’s hard to see where Harps’ could generate early points.
2⃣0⃣1⃣9⃣ fixtures for @FinnHarpsFC
? Trip to Dalymount Park opens campaign
? First home game against Champions @DundalkFC
? End campaign with a trip to rivals @derrycityfc #FixtureReleaseDay #LOI pic.twitter.com/cBr9Lx0DGN— SSE Airtricity League (@SSEAirtricityLg) December 19, 2018
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North-West derbies against Sligo Rovers and Derry City are huge moments in the calendar year for the Harps faithful and Horgan will be hoping a jammed-packed Finn Park can get his side over the line in those intense games.
An away trip to UCD on March 15 could also prove a tasty affair, with last season’s best two sides in the First Divison going toe-to-toe.
However, with several managerial and personnel changes happening around the league this winter, Horgan will remain wary of what exactly he could be up against in 2019.
In the back end of the season, Harps don’t have a home game for September, having to travel to Turner’s Cross and the Sligo Showgrounds.
While home fixtures against UCD and Waterford in October could prove all-important.
Harps’ also play Derry City at The Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium on the final day.
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