Finn Harps are guaranteed a play-off spot in spite of a 1-0 loss to Shamrock Rovers last night.
Shamrock Rovers 1 Finn Harps 0
Greg Bolger’s goal gave Rovers the win that proved telling in the basement battle.
With UCD losing in cork, the Students have been condemned to relegation, with Harps set for a play off in a couple of weeks’ time.
Rovers went into the game without internationals Jack Byrne and Pico Lopes, away with Ireland and Cape Verde respectively, but controlled the game throughout.
McGinley had to be at his best a minute before half-time to turn a furious Watts shot over the bar and was the best player on the pitch as he pulled off a series of top saves.
McGinley had to be at his best a minute before half-time to turn a furious Watts shot over the bar and was the best player on the pitch as he pulled off a series of top saves.
He turned a Ronan Finn shot onto the post just before the hour as Rovers turned the screw and showed remarkable dexterity to deny Rovers twice late on.
He got down low to turn Watts’ shot away from goal and sprung up wonderfully to tip what looked a certain goal from Burke around the post.
McGinley was helpless to keep out Bolger’s effort from the corner, however, as Bolger picked out the top corner with a stunning drive.
to turn a furious Watts shot over the bar and was the best player on the pitch as he pulled off a series of top saves.
He turned a Ronan Finn shot onto the post just before the hour as Rovers turned the screw and showed remarkable dexterity to deny Rovers twice late on.
He got down low to turn Watts’ shot away from goal and sprung up wonderfully to tip what looked a certain goal from Burke around the post.
McGinley was helpless to keep out Bolger’s effort from the corner, however, as Bolger picked out the top corner with a stunning drive.
Shamrock Rovers: Alan Mannus; Danny Lafferty, Lee Grace, Sean Kavanagh; Ronan Finn, Brandon Kavanagh (Aaron McEneff 72), Greg Bolger, Dylan Watts, Neil Farrugia (Eric Abulu 76); Graham Burke, Aaron Greene (Graham Cummins 86).
Finn Harps: Mark McGinley; Colm Deasy, Harry Ascroft, Josh Smith, Sam Todd, Mark Russell; Tony McNamee, Ruairi Harkin, Gareth Harkin, Mark Timlin (Daniel O’Reilly 69); Nathan Boyle (Mikey Place 86).
