Kildare Town - 0 Finn Harps - 2:NATIONAL LEAGUE: Finn Harps have one hand firmly on the first trophy of the new season as second-half goals from Jonathan Minnock and Neil Lloyd gave them a commanding lead to take back to Ballybofey next Wednesday.
Kildare can have no complaints. County started well, but five corners and first-half openings for Cathal O'Connor, John Ryan, Damien Maher, James O'Callaghan and Gavin Dykes all came to nothing.
Having failed to take their chances, Kildare were then punished from two set-pieces. The first goal came 10 minutes into the second half when Minnock, with a superb strike from his left foot, scored with a thumping free kick from 35yards.
The tie was effectively over on 68 minutes when Harps scored again to punish sloppy defending. Lloyd was left totally unmarked on the edge of the area to collect Paddy McGrenaghan's short corner before drilling home.
KILDARE COUNTY: Murphy; Brennan, Maher, Dykes, O'Callaghan; Zeller, Whelehan, C O'Connor (Burke, 57 mins), Kelly (Doyle, 57 mins); K O'Connor, Ryan (McCann).
FINN HARPS: Young; R Kenny, Boyle, Bradley, Sweeney; J. Kenny (Cooke, 81), O'Brien, Lloyd, Minnock; Speak, McGrenaghan.
Referee: D Hancock (Dublin).
