It was a somewhat depleted Harps squad that headed south to face Treaty Utd in Limerick.
Treaty Utd…0. Finn Harps…3
Ryan Rainey, Ellis Farrar, Caoimhin Porter, Daniel Okwute and Shaunie Bradley were all ruled out with injury while Daithi McCallion was serving a suspension.
On the back of four defeats in a row this made things even more challenging for Dave Rodgers team and they responded in the most positive manner.
Two first-half set piece goals by Ryan Flood , one from a penalty and the other a cracking free-kick had Harps in the driving seat and they saw it through to get back on track.
Harps got off the perfect start when in the 11th minute Sean O Donnell was taken down in the box and Ryan Flood hammered home the resulting penalty , 0–1 to the visitors.
Treaty’s Willie Armshaw had a couple of half-chances ,one from a free-kick and a second from play , but he shot over on both occasions T
he players took a water-break on the half-hour and shortly afterwards Harps increased their lead with Sean O Donnell and Ryan Flood again centrally involved again.
O Donnell beat several defenders on a mazy run before being upended by Anto O Donnell .
Flood stepped up and fired a thunderous shot to the net to make it 0-2 and Harps in control it seemed as half-time approached.
There were chances at both ends before the break however, Tim Hiemer denying Enda Curran with a super save and at the other end Treaty keeper Shane Hallahan blocking a Michael Harris goalbound effort and in the ensuing goalmouth scramble Treaty defenders somehow keeping the ball from entering the net.
At half-time Harps led 0-2.
The second-half was somewhat uneventful as Harps protected their lead comfortably and despite making a number of changes the home team weren’t able to make a serious impact in their quest to get back in the game.
Harps also made a number of late changes including debuts for both Sean O Kane and Aaron McLaughlin and the latter put the icing on this cake with a debut goal to make it 0-3 for Harps , their first three goal return of the season .
A much needed victory for Harps and given those missing this was impressive stuff from those who travelled south and got the show back on the road.
Finn Harps ; Tim Hiemer , Noe Baba , Keith Cowan ( Sean O Kane 72mins), Shane McMonagle , Seamus Keogh , Katlego Mashigo , Ryan Flood , Kevin Jordan, Philip Da Silva , Michael Harris ( Damian Duffy 87mins), Sean O Donnell ( Aaron McLaughlin (80mins ),