Sporting Fingal 4-1 Finn Harps

Sporting Fingal bounced back from their disappointing defeat to Wexford Youths when they eased past Finn Harps 4-1 at Morton Stadium.

Fingal led two-nil at the break and although Harps pulled one back early in the second half, a brace by Gary O'Neill in the final 20 minutes confirmed the home side's dominance.

It didn't take long for the hosts to have their first chance when Gary O'Neill dribbled through the Harps defence and set up Conan Byrne, who shot wide in the opening minute.

The roles reversed halfway through the half when Byrne was set free down the wing by Shaun Williams and O'Neill headed Byrne's cross wide.

Byrne's crosses were causing Harps problems and his corner on 29 minutes found Robert Bayly at the back post. His shot went across the face of goal and Shaun Williams turned the ball into the roof of the net to give Fingal the lead.

It took just two minutes for Fingal to double their lead when Alan Kirby's through ball put Byrne one-on-one with Ciaran Gallagher.

Byrne calmly chipped Gallagher and had the crossbar to thank for his 21st goal of the season.

Fingal continued to pressure early on in the second half and looked like they could score their third.

It was Finn Harps, however, that got the first goal of the half after
just seven minutes when a long clearance by Gallagher found Christy Connaghan, who looped a header over Darren Quigley in the Fingal net completely against the run of play.

Connaghan then had a chance to double his tally only to shoot wide of Quigley's goal.

Gallagher hampered Fingal's hopes of regaining their two goal lead when he saved superbly from Williams' long range effort.

Gary O'Neill did extend Fingal's lead when he latched onto Robert Bayly's through ball on 72 minutes and slotted the ball past Gallagher.

Another good save from Gallagher stopped Bayly from getting in on the act as Fingal looked to add a fourth.

However, Gary O'Neill did get a fourth when he headed home Byrne's teasing cross with eight minutes remaining.

Sporting Fingal (4-3-3): Quigley; Gannon, Maher, Frost, Fitzgerald; Bayly (Foley 87), McFaul, Williams (Dawson 84); C Byrne, O'Neill (Zayed 88), Kirby.

Finn Harps (4-4-2): Gallagher; Ruddy (Lafferty 82), Mailey, Rossiter, Doherty; Funston, Bonner (Coll 75), Forker, McLaughlin (Moran 86); Brolly, Connaghan.

Referee: S Grant (Wexford).

Attendance: 386.