SEEING as they’re occasionally called the “inseparable twins,” there’s always been something between Finn Harps and Athlone Town.
That term was coined as the two clubs were granted membership of the League of Ireland on the same day, back in 1969.
On Friday night, in the SSE Airtricity League First Division, the sides meet once again at Finn Park (match programme cover courtesy of Finn Harps FC). When they met at the same venue in April, Keith Cowan scored the only goal in a 1-0 home win. Then, in June, it was Marco Chindea who found the net in a 1-0 victory for Athlone at Lisseywollen.
Athlone have found a ‘special’ way to drum up support for Friday’s clash in Ballybofey, with this excellent poster …
Poster courtesy of Athlone Town FC
Down the years there’s been a few titanic meetings. In 1974 at Oriel Park, the stadium announcer optimistically requested “is there a carpenter in the ground?” after Athlone goalkeeper Mick O’Brien – forever known as ‘Tarzan’ in the north-west – broke the crossbar twice in the FAI Cup semi-final. Patsy McGowan’s Harps won 5-0 on their way to a first and only cup success.
The Irish Independent‘s take on the 1974 FAI Cup semi-final. Photo courtesy of Bartley Ramsay
Then, of course, there was the 1994/95 promotion-relegation play-off. Twelve months beforehand, Harps had beaten Cobh Ramblers 1-0 only to lose 3-0 in the away leg. And when they faced Athlone both legs finished goalless, the second at Finn Park after extra-time.
It was the midlanders who maintained their place in the Premier Division by the skin of their teeth, winning the penalty shoot-out that followed.
If you’re a Harps fan and can bare it, watch the video below …
https://wwwyoutube.com/watch?v=ELCiX5t_zA4
Video courtesy of fhfc1954
So, what’s Friday night going to bring? We’ll have to wait and see.
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