Saturday's SSE Airtricity League first division encounter in Ballybofey between Finn Harps and Galway FC promises to be a revealing encounter for Tommy Dunne's outfit.
Galway FC's failure to convert a string of opportunities proved costly against Shamrock Rovers B last weekend, so the trip north has added significance. Harps, managed by Galway native Ollie Horgan, have not been goal shy. Taking seven points from their first three matches with two emphatic triumphs in the past fortnight is a sign of considerable Donegal intent.
Dunne was disappointed Galway FC were not able to take any chances during the draw with Colin Hawkins' well-organised Hoops at Eamonn Deacy Park. "I thought we pretty much dominated the game from start to finish regarding territory and possession, but we need to score goals,” Dunne said.
“With the chances we had, I thought we were unlucky in the first half with Jake Keegan's header as the keeper made a great save. The one hitting the crossbar too. We created a lot of chances even from set plays balls going into the box, but we didn't have the finish. We were playing against a young team and I'll be honest and straightforward, we have to be beating that team at home.
“Obviously it is two points dropped. It is a game you need to get three points in and we didn't.”
Despite Galway FC's worrying conversion rate, Dunne is adamant that Stephen Walsh, Keegan, Ryan Manning or Vinny Faherty will hit the target soon.
“Sometimes we have to settle into a game. Sometimes I think we have to play the percentages a little bit better by just getting it forward. Once you settle into the match, you can get control of the game.
“I've got Stephen Walsh, Jake Keegan, Ryan Manning, and Vinny Faherty. There are enough strikers there. You'd expect to get something out of somebody in that four. Chances fell to different people at different times, we didn't take them.
“We looked to put the two through the middle, but we were taking the wrong options. We should have been looking to go wide to put crosses into the box. We were still looking to go through centrally, that is something we will have to analyse to try to improve for next time.
“There is a lot of work that needs to be done and we understand that. It only comes from playing and training together regularly. For me the positive is another clean sheet, but the negative is that we didn't win the game, which we should have.”
Harps have scored eight in their opening three tussles with the 5-0 dismissal of Cobh Ramblers at Ballybofey a fine result last Friday. James Doherty bagged in the first half before Harps demolished the visitors after the restart as Carel Tiofack, Pat McCann (2 ), and Ruairi Keating all netted during the rout. Former Galway United custodian Conor Winn has posted three clean sheets in the first division, underlining Harps' smashing start, so Galway FC will need to summon a defiant display in the northwest.
•GUST is running a bus to Ballybofey, departing The Dail Bar, Cross Street, Galway, at 3pm.To book contact Dominick Walsh 087-9163438 or Ronan Coleman 087-6972823.
