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Preview: Finn Harps v Limerick 37

Friday 12th October 2007, 1:09 am

Finn Harps can confirm themselves, Cobh Ramblers and Dundalk will be guaranteed a top three finish in the First Division of the League of Ireland if they beat Limerick 37 at Finn Park on Friday evening. Harps are still only top by one point but a defeat for Limerick would mathematically rule them out of contention for scraping a play-off place.

Despite their current standing at the top of the table Harps boss Paul Hegarty is not thinking about winning the title just yet, "The thing about it, there is still 15 points to play for and that is a massive haul. First and foremost we have to try and secure the second place because that means we'd have home advantage in a play-off. Once we would do that, then you could look at finishing first. We have to do that and I think we need three more wins before we can think about the title. We are just taking it one game at a time and for now all we want to do is to get three points against Limerick tonight."

Hegarty doesn't expect an easy game against Limerick, "They will be tough and they'll give nothing away cheaply. They'll come and have a go. We had them watched and they are a very good side. We need to watch and make sure that we are on our guard. It'll be a problem for us getting refreshed for the game after playing on Sunday."

Since a 1-1 draw in April, Harps have beaten Limerick twice - securing 3-0 and 3-1 wins. Harps go into the game on the back of a run which has seen them lose just one of their last twenty league games and they have won their last nine home league games without conceding a goal.

Limerick beat Wexford Youths 5-0 last weekend but that was their first win in six league games. They still seem set for a battle with Shelbourne for fourth place in the First Division.

In the build up to the game Finn Harps boss Paul Hegarty praised the Harps support.

Team news

Form

Previous meetings

3rd August 2007 - eircom League of Ireland First Division

Limerick 37 1-3 Finn Harps

1st June 2007 - eircom League of Ireland First Division

Finn Harps 3-0 Limerick 37

6th April 2007 - eircom League of Ireland First Division

Limerick 37 1-1 Finn Harps

Prediction

Home win. Limerick's lingering hopes look set to end at Finn Park.