Patrick Hoban has called on Dundalk to reproduce the workrate and desire they showed in Derry on Friday night when they return to the north west to face Finn Harps in Ballybofey on Monday evening.
The Lilywhites picked up their first away win of the season with an impressive display at the Brandywell but Hoban, who scored the winner with his eighth goal of the campaign, said the victory would count for nothing if they don’t back it up with a positive result in Ballybofey.
“We know how tough it will be up there on Monday night,” he said. “It’s a tight pitch, a very difficult ground to play in, and it’s a quick turnaround.
“We need to show the same work rate, team spirit and the collectiveness that we showed in Derry. I thought we were brilliant. We took the detail that was shown to us on to the pitch and made sure we were switched on for the full 96 minutes.”
Dundalk head to Ballybofey sitting clear in third position, four points behind second-placed Derry City with a game in hand and Hoban, who has scored three times in his last two appearances at Finn Park, said he was happy with the team’s progress.
“I think we’ve been going under the radar a small bit,” he smiled. “There hasn’t been much talk about us which is completely fine! That’s no problem at all!
“We’ve gone from strength to strength over the past couple of months and nothing has been said. Long may that continue.”
Harps go into the game on the back of a disappointing 3-1 defeat to Drogheda United at Head In The Game Park on Friday night.
Ollie Horgan’s men held a one-goal lead, and a one-man advantage, as the game entered the final 20 minutes but a late flurry saw the Drogs run out 3-1 winners to leave Harps hovering second from bottom.
“No matter where Harps are in the league, it’s always a tough game in Ballybofey. I know that first hand,” said O’Donnell, who will be able to call on Andy Boyle once again after the centre-back served a two-game ban for his recent sending off against UCD.
“We’re full of confidence, everyone is playing well and even though we’re buoyed by the win at the Brandywell, Monday’s game is the focus now and it will take on a meaning of its own.
“We have back-to-back long journeys to the north west so the most important thing is that we’re fresh and ready to go.”
Ticket Information/Lilywhite Lounge
Tickets for the game are available online at this link.
If you are not travelling to Ballybofey, you can watch the game in the Lilywhite Lounge, which will be open at 7pm.
The DFC Lotto draw will take place at half time. This week’s jackpot stands at €3,500.
