Finn Harps manager Ollie Horgan says the stark realities of his post-promotion comments are now coming home to roost.
Harps are eight points adrift at the bottom of the Premier Division as they head to face champions Dundalk at Oriel Park tonight.
Winless so far since getting back into the top flight, Harps face a daunting trip to Louth.
After defeating Limerick in the play-off, Horgan warned that ‘a lot of things have to change’ and said at the Markets Field: ‘I don’t mean to be a killjoy, but we know what’s ahead of us. It’s a more difficult Division now than it was when we went up the last time.’
Harps are without Harry Ascroft, Mark Timlin, Gareth Harkin and Sean Boyd, while Colm Deasy is suspended.
Jacob Borg has also joined the injury list.
“Some people weren’t that pleased when I said on the night we were promoted down at the Markets Field that Finn Harps were facing a monumental challenge in terms of competing, with limited resources, against the other teams in the Premier Division,” Horgan said this week.
“I think now the reality of my comments back in Limerick are donning on everyone but there is a lot of goodwill towards Finn Harps and hopefully now we can repay that with a result in Dundalk.
“The standard in the Premier Division has definitely improved from when we were last there in 2017. It is a massive step up from the First Division. But, it’s great to be playing against the sides like Dundalk and our lads are looking forward to giving it a right good go at Oriel Park.”
One of the two points Harps have to date was against Dundalk in Ballybofey. Graham Gartland secured Dundalk a draw after Keith Cowan gave Harps the lead.
Horgan said: “We’ll really need to be at the top of our game to cope with their attacking threat at Oriel Park.
“Ok, overall, they might not be going as well as expected but they are still a top side. Our lads are all set to go again and will be doing everything they can to get a result at Oriel Park.
“Conceding early would leave us chasing the game and against a team of Dundalk’s pedigree that would be very difficult for us.
“We trained well on Monday and Tuesday and the lads are determined to keep plugging away in the belief that positive results will start happening for us.
“As I said after the Bohemians game on Friday, everyone at the club has to put their shoulder to the wheel to try and get us up and running.”
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