Kildare County 0 Finn Harps 2
Finn Harps took a significant step towards securing the first trophy of the domestic soccer season with victory against Kildare County in the first leg of the First Division Cup final tonight.
Kildare started brightly and went close with strikes from John Ryan, Damien Maher, Cathal O’Connor and James O’Callaghan. Harps, who will play Cork City in the FAI Cup quarter-finals, created little of note in the opening period.
The game sparked to life 10 minutes after the restart when Jonathan Minnock thumped home a 35 yard free kick to give the visitors the lead.
Neil Lloyd then killed off the contest in the 68th minute. He collected a Paddy McGrenaghan corner on the edge of the box and beat County ‘keeper Tadhg Murphy with a low shot.