Finn Harps’ three-game winning run in the league was brought to an end at Finn Park on Saturday night by Limerick as the visitors ran out 3-1 winners.
Adam Clarke fired home his fourth goal of the campaign to cancel out Garbhan Coughlan’s early opener.
However second-half goals from Shane Guthrie and Denis Behan saw off a battling Harps – with all resistance ended with the sending off of Thomas McBride ten minutes from the end.
The visitors took the lead inside the first two minutes after Sean Brosnan’s cross was knocked down by Denis Behan for Coughlan to bundle the ball over the line from two yards.
However Harps levelled in spectacular fashion five minutes later.
A poor clearance landed at the feet of Adam Clarke who was given time to control the ball and fired in a superb equaliser.
Limerick however dominated for long periods, and both goalkeepers were forced to make smart saves.
The visitors took the lead 10 minutes after the restart.
Peter Hutton somehow blocked a Behan shot but from the corner Guthrie rose unchallenged to head home. Behan added the third with 12 minutes to go, although he didn’t know much about it, the ball hitting off him and into the net.
Harps were unfortunately outclassed by the big-spending Limerick but their case was not helped by a bizarre decision of the referee with ten minutes to go when he sent off McBride – when he himself had been tackled.
It anyone has any footage of it, let us know. It would be a hit on YouTube.
Finn Harps: Rory Kelly; James Doherty, Peter Hutton (Barry O’Mahony 63), Thomas McMonagle, Ciaran Coll; Adam Clarke, Shaun McGowan, Thomas McBride, Thomas Bonner (Blain Curtis 55), Paul Simon Treacy; Kevin McHugh.
Subs not used: Shaun Patton, Aaron O’Hagan, Matt Harkin, Ciaran Greene, Hugh Carlin.
Bookings: None.
Sent Off: T McBride (80).
Limerick FC: David Ryan; Shaun Kelly, Corie Tracey, Shane Tracy, Sean Brosnan Derek O’Brien 76); Stephen Bradley, Shane Guthrie, Joe Gamble, Rory Gaffney; Denis Behan, Garbhan Coughlan (Paudie Quinn 65).
Subs not used: Barry Ryan, Andrew Bhandarkar, Pat Purcell, Stephen McGann, Gary Sheahan.
Bookings: Gamble (34), Bradley (39), Behan (42).
Attendance: 568
