Finn Harps secured a huge three points in their battle to beat the drop after a Mark Russell brace at Dalymount Park. It was a result which saw Cork City relegated to the First Division whilst Shamrock Rovers claim the Premier Division title. Boh
Finn Harps secured a huge three points in their battle to beat the drop after a Mark Russell brace at Dalymount Park.
It was a result which saw Cork City relegated to the First Division whilst Shamrock Rovers claim the Premier Division title.
Bohemians were second best for the majority of the match even though they could have took the lead just before the half-hour when Promise Omochere found Keith Ward on the edge of the area but he fired wide.
Harps began to create real chances after this as Barry McNamee's low effort was parried away and soon after, Tony McNamee forced James Talbot into a great save to keep the scores level.
Harps deservedly went ahead just before the break. It was a long throw from the left and the Bohemians defence let the ball bounce as Mark Russell's audacious flick found the top corner.
Harps doubled their lead six minutes after the break. Adam Foley found a low cross from the left and as Barry McNamee's run took the defenders away from Russell who saw his deflected effort nestle into the bottom corner.
Keith Long made a quadruple substitution straight after the second goal as Evan Ferguson, Jack Moylan, Dawson Devoy and Ross Tierney all came on. They almost pulled a goal back in the 63rd minute when Mark McGinley produced a fantastic double save to deny Tierney and then Ferguson.
Five minutes later, McGinley produced another wonder save as Ferguson found space on the right side and his powerful effort was palmed onto the post, and the rebound went safe.
Bohemians' night was made even more difficult when they were reduced to ten men as Anthony Breslin saw red for an off-ball incident with 18 minutes remaining.
Leo Donnellan was sent off in the final ten minutes to level the numbers on the pitch but Harps held out to seal a huge three points which seals the Premier Division title for Shamrock Rovers and sees Cork City relegated.
