Finn Harps will be hoping to make it two wins on the trot when they take on struggling Longford Town at Finn Park this Friday night (Kick-off 8.00).

Harps recorded their first win of the season against the midlanders in March when they beat them in Ballybofey while their clash at Flancare Park ended in a scoreless draw.

Harps notched up their first away win of the league campaign last weekend as they beat basement site 2-0 thanks to two goals from captain Michael Funston.

Midfielder Shaun McGowan returns after suspension.  However, Packie Mailey misses out through suspension, while James Doherty in unavailable.  Ciaran Coll (hand) and Gary Whoriskey (heel) are doubts.  Sean Roddy, Ian Rossiter and Declan O’Donnell stand by to step in.  Fintan Bonner, Paddy Bonner, Conor Gethins and Johnny Havlin all remain out.

Reflecting on the Kildare game, Gallagher said: “Sometimes as a manager and as players, you learn more about players when you go on a bad run and the four defeats prior to the Shels game certainly hurt us all. 

“We wanted to go to Kildare and build on the Shels result and pick up the three points and thankfully we did that.  We want to finish the season on a positive note and the result gave us a great start to the final third of the campaign.”

Looking to the Longford game, he said: “It’s difficult to know what to expect from the game, but I will be preparing the lads to face a team that will be looking to avenge last week’s 4-1 home defeat by Monaghan.  Gareth Cronin will be looking for a reaction from his players, and teams coming off the back of a hammering are always difficult to play against.  In the two games between the sides this season, it has been very close, with only one goal scored.  I’m expecting a similar tough game on Friday.”

Harps have taken four points from their last six games while Longford have managed six.