Teenager Evan Caffrey scored a goal of the season contender as 10-man UCD came from behind to give themselves a massive lift in every sense with victory in this rousing relegation six-pointer at the UCD Bowl.
Only their third win of the campaign sees College leapfrog a point above Harps in their intriguing battle at the foot of the table.
It's now two wins and a draw for Andy Myler's Students over the Donegal side. They will meet for the last time at Finn Park in the penultimate game of the season in late October.
Unchanged from their impressive 3-0 win over Drogheda United last week, Harps saw plenty of the ball early on.
The first corner of the game brought no reward before Filip Mihaljevic might have done better with a tame header that was comfortably gathered by Lorcan Helay after Elie N'Zeyi and Regan Donelon worked a promising opening on the left.
Minutes later skipper Barry McNamee and Mihaljevic passed their way through midfield to set up Eric McWoods in space to get off a shot that was bravely blocked by Sam Todd.
UCD played their way into the game, threatening for the first time on 16 minutes. Captain Jack Keaney got on the end of a Dylan Duffy free-kick but his header never had the power to trouble James McKeown.
Two minutes later College were behind after conceding their ninth penalty of the season, Dara Keane livid with himself after he was adjudged to have pulled down Ethan Boyle as they went for a Donelon free-kick into the area.
Mihaljevic kept his cool to score confidently from the spot, sending Healy the wrong way.
Redemption was prompt in coming for Keane as he was instrumental in UCD equalising within a further two minutes.
The midfielder's drilled shot from just outside the area cannoned back off KcKeown’s right-hand post. Donal Higgins was alert to the loose ball to tap it into the net.
The exchange of goals saw the game open right up with the sides swapping further chances.
𝗢𝗛 𝗠𝗬 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗗! 😱
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Unbelievable strike from Evan Caffrey to give UCD the lead - potentially massive goal! 🚀@UCDAFC 2-1 @FinnHarpsFC
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McWoods and N’Zeyi shot off target for Harps with the response coming from Todd who headed over.
McKeown was then forced into a couple of agile saves, pushing a Duffy free-kick around the post while doing likewise from Keane after Harps had failed to clear a corner.
Despite finishing the first half well, it looked to be unravelling for College within six minutes of the second.
They first lost the influential Keaney to injury before Keane, booked for giving away the penalty, received a second yellow card for a foul on Conor Tourish and was sent off.
But it merely served to galvanise the home side as they took the lead with an absolutely sublime goal on 58 minutes for what would prove the winner.
Duffy and Higgins were involved in setting up 19-year-old Caffrey who hit a stunning drive from 30 yards which arrowed into the top corner, giving McKeown no chance.
Harps huffed and puffed for much of the remainder of the game, failing to register a real chance on target.
It was UCD who might have extended their lead on the counter, 18-year-old Tommy Lonergan twice working McKeown with shots from distance.
UCD: Lorcan Healy; Michael Gallagher, Jack Keaney (Alex Dunne 50), Sam Todd, Evan Osam; Evan Caffrey, Donal Higgins (Sean Brennan 71); Mark Dignam (John Ryan 88), Dara Keane, Dylan Duffy; Tommy Lonergan.
Finn Harps: James McKeown; Gary Boylan, Conor Tourish (Jose Carillo 57; Dylan Duncan 83), Rob Slevin; Ethan Boyle, Elie N’Zeyi, Ryan Connolly, Regan Donelan (Ryan Rainey 83); Barry McNamee (Robert Jones 63); Eric McWoods, Filip Mihaljevic.
Referee: Derek Tomney (Dublin).
