The biggest derby, in years, featuring Finn Harps and Sligo Rovers takes place tonight in Ballybofey (kick-off 8.00) with both clubs battling for a result that will boost their respective chances of staying in the League of Ireland Premier Division next season.
Harps is just a place outside the bottom three. Sligo is second from bottom and two points behind Ollie Horgan’s side. The visitors will come to Finn Park looking for all three points.
But the hosts will be going all out for a victory that would leave them much better positioned to retain their top flight status with just five league games remaining after tonight’s Northwest derby clash.
With Galway Utd winning 2-1 last night against Derry City at Eamonn Deacy Park things have tightened up even further at the foot of the table.
Shane Keegan’s men have now leapfrogged Sligo and are just a point and place below Harps.
“Galway’s win last night brings them right back into the mix to stay up and I’m not at all surprised by that because they are a quality side despite their position in the table,” Horgan said.
But the Harps boss is focused only on getting a result against his near neighbours tonight.
“It’s a crucial game for us in terms of keeping us in the frame to stay in the Premier Division. We are playing a full professional team who need to win tonight so that’s the scale of the challenge that we must face up to and show the courage to go out and battle for the three points.
“It’s a night when we need a big home support to get behind us because anything that can give us the edge will be needed to get better of Sligo who have experience and quality all over the pitch even with four players suspended,” Horgan concluded.
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