Davit Walsh's fine second-half goal gave Finn Harps a deserved 1-0 in over an abject Monaghan United side in this one-sided eircom League First Division encounter at Century Homes Park.
Monaghan struggled to muster any attacking threat, and Harps' margin of victory would have been much more handsome but for a five-star performance from United captain Robbie Horgan.
The veteran goalkeeper, returning after a lengthy injury lay-off,
made outstanding first-half saves from Stephen O'Donnell and Anthony Gorman.
Harps player-manager Gorman also struck the post with a fierce
25-yard effort, and Barry Curran squandered a gilt-edged scoring
chance, in a one-sided first period.
Horgan continued to frustrate Harps after the interval, defying
O'Donnell once again, but the Donegal men made the decisive
breakthrough in the 66th minute.
United only half-cleared Matthew Crossan's high floated ball from the wing, and Walsh pounced on the edge of the box to drive a crisp shot to the bottom corner.
The busy Walsh threatened to extend Harps' lead, but the single goal proved sufficient against a Monaghan team whose only threat of an equaliser came in the final minute, Brian Gannon's long-range effort snatched out of the air by James Gallagher in the Harps' goal.
Monaghan United: Horgan, Gannon, Whelan, Sargent, Kerr; Smith, McCann, Fullam, Smyth; Lee, Mackey.
Subs: Finnegan for Fullam 71, Toal for Sargent 72, Heffernan for Mackey 81.
Finn Harps: Gallagher; McGowan, Asukah, Bradley, Minnock; Curan, Funston, Crossan, Gorman; O'Donnell, Walsh.
Subs: Bell for Minnock 46, Meenan for Curran 76.
Referee: D Hancock (Dublin)
