Ollie Horgan is on the verge of having to perform his own version of the loaves and fishes as he heads to runaway League leaders Cork City with the prospect of having only 14 fit first-team players.
Horgan’s team have slipped down the standings and go to Turners Cross just above the relegation zone.
Harps have been beaten 2-0 by Drogheda United and Bohemians in the last two weeks an make the journey south tomorrow to face a team soaking in confidence having won all 11 of its Premier Division games since the start of the season.
Horgan could name only five players on his substitutes’ bench last week at Bohemians and will be without Barry Molloy, sent off last week, for the trip to Cork, while Eddie Dsane is a definite absentee having aggravated a back injury at Dalymount Park.
Danny Morrissey, Packie Mailey, Harry Doherty, BJ Banda and Jonny Bonner while Paddy McCourt is rated as ‘doubtful’, but Horgan says Michael Funston may return to the fold tomorrow.
“We went to Bohemians with 16 players and now we are missing Eddie Dsane and Barry Molloy so that would make it 14,” Horgan sighed and it is expected that Under-19s Gareth Doherty, Simon McGlynn and Dylan McCroary will be included in the squad to boost the numbers.
“Cork have done brilliantly this season. They have been a great side and if Dundalk hadn’t been there then they could be going for four league titles in a row instead.
“John Caufield has done a great job. Season on season, Cork have got better.
“Nobody gives us a chance going down to Turners Cross but we’ll prepare as we always do. We’ll give it everything and see where that brings us.”