In the end the only thing that was missing was the presentation of the Premiership trophy.
In between Stephen Bradley’s Shamrock Rovers showed tonight why they have won this league at a canter.
Shamrock Rovers 3 Finn Harps 0 (Pics by Joe Boland)
Both Finn Harps and the Hoops were desperate to get three points from this game at Tallaght but for very different reasons.
Ollie Horgan’s side travelled to the capital in the hope that a win would help stave off the threat of his team remaining in the relegation zone.
But for his Dublin counterpart Bradley three points would guarantee another Premiership trophy and wild celebrations at Tallaght Stadium.
In the end there was an air of inevitability about this encounter even form the very early stages.
Daniel Mandroiu tested McGinley with a low drive after just two minutes but the Harps netminder got down well.
But he only had to wait another minute find the net.
A great through ball from Sean Gannon released Mandroiu who slipped past McGinley to fire home and make it 1-0 for the home side as the Harps defence ball-watched.
The Rovers fans erupted and Harps sensed it was going to be a long night.
In the eight minute Ryan Colly went on a mazy run before having his heels clipped o the edge of the area for Harps but Sean Boyd hit the ball straight at the wall form the resulting free-kick.
A mix-up between McGinley and Ethan Boyle in the 14th minute almost allowed Rovers striker Rory Gaffney in but the danger was cleared.
Mandroiu continued to probe away and shot across the face of the Harps goal in the 19th minute.
Gaffney got free again and released a good effort before Shane McEleney managed to stick a leg ou to divert the ball away from the target.
Midway through he opening half, Barry McNamee bent a teasing ball across the Rovers goalmouth from the right wing but there was nobody there for Harps
But just as they were settling it was that man Mandroiu who struck again.
A lovely cross from the right from Richie Towell saw Mandroi stoop low to head the ball past the outstretched McGinley to make it 2-0.
Rovers continued to show the gulf in class between the sides as McGinley was forced to make three saves in succession.
Towell put Gaffney inot the area and some great twists and turns saw the Rovers striker pull the best out of McGinley again who turned the ball away to his left in the 39th minute.
A long range effort from Dylan Watts whizzed just inches past McGinley’s upright as Rovers teased the Donegal side.
Horgan introduced Ryan Hawkins and Will Seymore for Mark Coyle and Ryan Rainey at the break in an effort to change things up for Harps.
Sean Boyd was living off scraps for Harps and a contested header wasn’t enough to worry Rovers ‘keeper Alan Mannus in the 55th minute.
A minute later Rovers had what looked like a strong claim for a penalty when Connolly tangled with Niall Farrugia but referee Paul McLaughlin blew for a corner.
Harps introduced a striker for a striker when Tunde Owolabi replaced Boyd with half an hour to go.
Sean Gannon did well down the right wing for Rovers and he fed Gaffney once more but his goal-bound shot was cleared by Ethan Boyle.
Alan Foley came on for O’Sullivan in the 68th minute.
But when the opposition are able to introduce subs of the calibre of Aaron Greene and Graham Burke, then you have to accept the difference in the strength of these two sides.
Farrugia might have added to the Rovers tally from a tight angle following some fancy footwork by sub Greene but his shot flashed across the Harps goalmouth.
Connolly, who received a yellow card, made way for Stephen Doherty in the 81st minute.
Another Rovers substitute Aidomo Emakhu was put through on goal in the 88th minute and he cleverly waited for McGinley to commit but he rounded the Harps keeper and cooly clotted home to make it 3-0.
It was nothing less than Rovers deserved and Ollie Horgan and company can have not complaints about the result.
Queue the Rovers celebrations and the uphill struggle foe the remainder of the season now facing Harps.
Shamrock Rovers ; Alan Mannus , Joey O Brien, Roberto Lopes , Lee Grace , Sean Gannon , Richie Towell , Chris McCann , Niall Farrugia , Dylan Watts , Rory Gaffney, Daniel Mandroiu .
Finn Harps : Mark Anthony McGinley , Ethan Boyle , David Webster , Shane McEleney , Jordan Mustoe , Mark Coyle , Ryan Connolly , Karl O Sullivan, Barry McNamee , Ryan Rainey , Sean Boyd.
Referee: Paul McLaughlin (Monaghan)
