LOI TV Commentator and host of Between the Stripes LOI podcast, Kieran Burke picks out his best bets for Friday night.
UCD AFC v LONGFORD – Fri, 7.45, LOI TV
Longford Town’s dour start to the season continued last week as they were beaten 2-1 at home by Wexford FC. De Town were appalling in the first half and rightfully trailed 2-0 at the break before interim Longford manager Wayne Groves made four half time changes leading to a spirited second half display.
However, the damage was done in the opening forty-five minutes with the Midlanders falling behind off a goal from a Wexford long throw-in. Having conceded all four of their goals against Cork City the week prior from dead ball situations, Groves frustration was evident when he spoke to the media after Longford’s seventh defeat from eleven this term.
One of those seven defeats came against UCD earlier in the campaign with the Students schooling Longford during a 2-1 success away from home. That win sparked an unbeaten run of six matches for UCD with the College climbing to second in the table behind Cork City.
The Rebels have already opened up a seven point lead at the top and look set to canter to the First Division title but having seen every team in the division (aside from Treaty United) in the flesh this year, UCD look to be the best of the rest and should have too much for rock bottom Longford Town.
BEST BET: UCD AFC (6/10)
FINN HARPS v TREATY UNITED – Fri, 7.45, LOI TV
After a flying start to the season Finn Harps have faltered in recent weeks with a three match losing streak sending the Donegal men down to fifth place. However, if ever there was a golden opportunity for Darren Murphy’s men to get back to winning ways it’s this fixture against Treaty United.
The Limerick men have suffered back-to-back defeats and are currently winless in nine matches across all competitions with one of those losses coming against Friday’s opposition. Treaty United have also failed to score in five of their last seven league games.
Harps put together a solid first-half display against league leaders Cork last Friday but spurned several openings in front of goal before conceding from a set-piece just after the hour mark while the Harps defence went AWOL for City’s second on 73-minutes.
Should the home side have their shooting boots on this week, they should fully expect a return to winning ways.
BEST BET: Finn Harps (Evs)
KERRY FC v CORK CITY – Fri, 7.45, LOI TV
Following an unbeaten run of eight matches in all competitions Kerry FC looked on the up and up after they dismantled Longford Town 3-0 at Mounthawk Park last month. However, the Kingdom have failed to build on that and have actually regressed in recent weeks with weak performances in defeat against Athlone Town and Bray Wanderers in their last two matches.
With that in mind, Kerry could hardly have asked for a tougher fixture as they attempt to snap out of their poor spell of form with title favourites Cork City the visitors to Tralee on Friday.
The Rebels remain unbeaten this season with eight wins and four draws from 12 matches, a run that has culminated in a seven point cushion for Tim Clancy’s side at the top of the table.
Perhaps more impressive is Cork City’s defensive record of just three goals conceded all year. When the two Munster rivals met on the opening night of the season at Turners Cross Cork City cruised to a comfortable 2-0 victory with new signing Jack Doherty bagging a classy brace of goals.
Jack Doherty, Sean Murray, Greg Bolger, they are the caliber of players Kerry FC can only dream of having in their ranks in the coming years with the leagues newest entity clearly still finding their feet at this level.
The rough and ready Mounthawk artificial playing surface could be something of a leveler but City have shown a strong resolve in recent weeks as they’ve had to play away from home due to issues at Turners Cross and that steely character and greater experience should stand to them here.
BEST BET: Cork City (2/5)
A €30 treble on Kieran’s selections could return €134.40!