Finn Harps remain top of the First Division following this hard-fought win over Limerick 37 in Ballybofey.
The visitors worked hard throughout but without at least six first team regulars, they were always going to be up against it.
They fell behind on 28 minutes when Harps striker Conor Gethins ran onto a ball over the top and fired into the bottom corner.
Limerick needed nothing less than a win to keep their slim hopes of a third place finish alive. They certainly enjoyed plenty of possession, particularly in the first half and after Gethins had opened the scoring, Limerick squandered a great chance to equalise.
Harps never really dealt with John Tierney's effort on goal and when the ball fell to Wayne Culbert ten yards from goal, his follow-up was superbly blocked by Jonathan Minnock.
At the other end, Stephen Parkhouse also went close for Harps when his snap-shot went just wide of the post. Limerick keeper, David Ryan also had to show quick feet to get back and tip Gethins' cross out from under his own crossbar.
Harps however, got the all-important second on 56 minutes when Gethins scored direct from a free kick. However, they had to survive a late scare when when Limerick's John Tierney's penalty came back off the post.
The victory means that Harps maintain their excellent winning run. They've now won 11 out of their last 12 games and have been beaten just once in 21 games.
Finn Harps: Gallagher, Asokuh, Holmes, McLaughlin, Minnock, Shields, Funston (O'Loughlin 71), McGowan, Gethins, Parkhouse (Brown 62), Divin.
Limerick 37: Ryan, White, Gregg, Molan, Danaher, Hayes (Harrington 45), Culbert, Barrett, Tierney, McCarthy (Clarke 76), Moran (Cosgrove 59).
Referee: Conor Fitzgerald.
