FINN HARPS HAD a spring in their step this week following their 2-1 win over Derry City on their top flight return but tomorrow there’s a daunting trip to the champions.
Dundalk have won the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division in each of the season two seasons and last November also won the FAI Cup courtesy of a 1-0 win over Cork City at the Aviva Stadium.
Stephen Kenny (pictured above by Dundalk FC) is no stranger to the north-west having managed Derry City and lives in Fahan and last week he saw his side open with a competent 3-1 win at Bray Wanderers. A first half brace from Ciaran Kilduff was added to by Ronan Finn to seal victory.
Speaking to dundalkfc.com, Kenny and he praised team for their performance and victory against Bray last week and is looking forward to starting at Oriel Park this weekend against Harps.
“Last weekend we put in a brilliant performance against Bray Wanderers,” he said. “I’d consider it one of our best performance in recent seasons in what was difficult conditions. It was a very convincing win on the night and we have to take it into this weekend.
“Finn Harps had a very good win themselves against Derry City last weekend and they are on a high but we are at home. We want to start off the season at home with a win. We are motivated and want to start with a strong performance.”
This will be the first meeting between the sides since the First Divison promotion play-off in November 2007 at Finn Park which Harps won 2-0 on their way to promotion under Paul Hegarty.
Harps and Dundalk have not met in the Premier Division meeting since May 1999 when Jim McLaughlin’s already relegated visitors lost 1-0 in Ballybofey against a Harps team with an FAI Cup final against Bray on the horizon.
Now though, Dundalk have only lost one league match at home since September 2013 – last June to Bohemians and have lost one of their last 45 in league and FAI Cup.
Kilduff has started this season with a bang and is eager for Dundalk to get three points on their first outing on home turf this season.
“Coming up into the league, Finn Harps will be buzzing for the first few weeks. The place was packed last week in Finn Park so they had a good night and it was a good win for them against Derry City. They’re not going to be a soft touch by any means but we are looking forward to it and we want to kick off our home season with a win.”
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