Play-off Final Report: Limerick 0-2 Finn Harps (Harps win 3-0 on aggregate)

Tom Clancy reports from Markets Field

Finn Harps secured an immediate return to the Premier Division and relegated Limerick just as did they in 2015. The Donegal outfit were full value for their comprehensive victory with goals from Mark Timlin and Nathan Boyle enough to help them past a toothless Limerick. 

Mark Timlin’s stoppage time goal at the end of the first half gave Finn Harps a commanding position. 

The winger was set free by Mikey Place who dribbled at the heart of the Blues defence before laying the ball off to Timlin who made no mistake with his left foot. 

Limerick, had an earlier warning from the former Derry City attacker, who’d hit the post on 20 minutes. This time, he cut back onto his left and curled the ball low off the post. 

The hosts had rarely threatened Peter Burke in the Harps goal, with Killian Brouder, Connor Ellis and Danny Morrissey all wayward in a nervy opening period. 

The game had the backdrop of it also being Paddy McCourt’s final professional game. The Derry Pele hobbled off after just 15 minutes, and despite a lively opening, Limerick were unable to take advantage. 

Two early bookings for Mikey Place and John Kavanagh showed the intensity Ollie Horgan’s side brought, closing down Limerick early and perhaps Kavanagh lucky to escape with only a yellow for his reckless tackle on Shane Duggan. But those tackles coupled with the loss of McCourt seemed to galvanise the Donegal outfit. They gave Limerick little and were far more assured in possession. 

The opening minutes of the second period saw Tommy Barrett’s side play with more energy, but they failed to test Peter Burke enough. Danny Morrissey hit drew a fine save from the former Sunderland man. But the dominance of Sam Todd and Keith Cowan meant Limerick lived off scraps.

Place could have sealed the tie earlier, when he somehow skied an effort from three yards, after a great low cross. 



The tie was sealed in the 80thminute however when Nathan Boyle finished with class after being found with a through ball. Morrissey hit the bar three minutes later, as the Limerick fans turned on their own players. But at the other end, it was Finn Harps fans in full voice who celebrated a job well done. 

Limerick:Jack Brady; Shaun Kelly, Killian Cantwell, Kilian Brouder, Shane Tracy; Shane Duggan, Cían Coleman (Karl O’Sullivan 70), Barry Maguire (Darren Murphy 58), Billy Dennehy; Danny Morrissey, Connor Ellis (Will Fitzgerald 58). 
Subs not used:Tommy Holland (gk), Colm Walsh-O’Loughlen, Adam Foley, Colman Kennedy.

Booked:Kilian Brouder (46), Shane Duggan (61).

Finn Harps:Peter Burke; John Kavanagh, Jakob Bord, Keith Cowan, Sam Todd, Ciaran Coll; Paddy McCourt (Niall Logue 16), Gareth Harkin, Mark Timlin (Jesse Devers 84); Mikey Place, Nathan Boyle (John O’Flynn 88). 
Subs not used:Jamie Bell (gk), Niall McGinley, Olunatunmise Sobowale.

Booked:Mikey Place (5), John Kavanagh (10), Jakob Borg (50), Niall Logue (56), Gareth Harkin (79).

Attendance:3,250 (estimate)



Referee:Graham Kelly

Extratime.ie Man of the Match:Mark Timlin (Finn Harps)

    About Tom Clancy

    Introduced to the League of Ireland in 2005, Tom has seen Limerick play at four different grounds down the years. He began writing for Extratime in late 2013 and was delighted to report on the … View Full Profile