Harps rest their hopes on McHugh

FINN HARPS will look to their dynamic young striker Kevin McHugh to help take them into the semi-final of the FAI Carlsberg Cup when they play Cork City at Turner’s Cross today (7.45pm).

McHugh, one of the most highly-rated young talents in the National League, could only play a substitute’s role for 10 minutes in Saturday’s first match against Cork in Ballybofey but forced ’keeper Michael Devine to make the save of the match.

Devine was slightly off his line when McHugh let one fly from 35 yards seconds before the final whistle and Devine highlighted an outstanding personal performance by turning the shot over the bar.

McHugh was the subject of a 30,000 transfer bid from Derry City and his fitness is a huge encouragement to Harps and a warning to Cork. “We’re not going down there to fulfil a fixture,” manager Jonathan Speak said. “We look upon it as a second chance to put Cork out of the Cup.”

Cork manager Liam Murphy dismissed suggestions his team had the most difficult task achieved by bringing the tie to a replay. He said: “Our home form has been very good but it would be foolish to take anything for granted.

“Most of Harps’ players have Premier League experience so the fact they are in the First Division has no relevance. This is a very capable Harps’ team and we will have to be very careful and in top form.”

The availability of McHugh means Harps will be stronger than they were at the beginning of the drawn tie. And Cork are conscious that Harps might well have put the tie beyond them had Jonathan Minnock not struck a penalty wide when Harps led 1-0.

Said Murphy: “Harps are well capable of scoring a few goals. Their goal came from a free that should not have been awarded and we struck the woodwork twice, but they came at us very strongly in the last 10 minutes.

“You would expect that given that they were at home but it showed how strong they are and they will be confident of troubling us again.”

Cork will again be without full-back Neal Horgan who is troubled by a knee injury that will require surgery. Michael Mulconry will fill his position.

They will look to centre-forwards John O’Flynn and George O’Callaghan to lift their form.

The match is certain to draw a big attendance and promises to be rich in entertainment with the teams lining up as follows:

CORK CITY: Devine; Carey, Bennett, Cronin, Mulconry; O’Brien, O’Halloran, Reynolds, Woods; O’Callaghan, O’Flynn.

FINN HARPS: Young; R. Kenny, Boyle, Bradley, Minnock; J. Kenny, McGrenaghan, O’Brien, Mohan; Speak, McHugh.