In a strange sort of way, Ollie Horgan is relishing the task of preparing to face Dundalk on Friday night.
The Finn Harps manager says the Lilywhites, the 2018 League and FAI Cup winners, will present his newly-promoted side with ‘savage difficulty’ – but is eager to have a go at the champions.
Harps haven’t scored against Dundalk in any of their previous three seasons in the top flight and hit Harps for seven in May 2016.
“It’s great to be talking about Dundalk,” Horgan told Donegal Daily/Donegal Sport Hub.
“They haven’t been here in two years and it’s great to have them back.
“It brings savage difficulty, but it’s still great to be preparing to play them. We need to enjoy it as well. We haven’t scored against Dundalk in five years. It’s great to be on the same pitch as them.”
Harps began life in the Premier Division with a 1-0 loss to Bohemians at Dalymount Park on Friday night, when Dinny Corcoran scored the only goal of the game.
Horgan said: “We will get better, but it’s a question of how quickly. On the second half against Bohemians, we are behind the standard. That’s Bohemians and Dundalk are ahead of that again.
“We’re hoping we don’t fall short all the time and we get enough decent results to give ourselves a fighting chance. We know what we’re going into. It’s a matter of how we can pick up points along the way.”
Listen to the full interview below …