Finn Harps undone by first-half brace in Cobh

Lacklustre Finn Harps fell to their second successive defeat on Friday night.

First-half goals by Matthew McKevitt and David Bosnjak set Cobh up for only their second win of the season – both of which have come against Harps.

Cobh might've been without a win in their last six outings since a Jack Larkin goal gave them a win in Ballybofey in early March, but the Munster men were full value for a deserved win at St Colman's Park.

Jaded Harps, who made the 430km journey south on Friday morning, and they were unable to claw a way back into the game.

Cobh took the lead in the 11th minute. Larkin did well on the end-line to keep in a ball from Dale Holland that looked to be creeping out. From Larkin's hook across goal, McKevitt prodded home at close range.

On 29 minutes, Holland stepped in with a vital intervention, getting in a telling block just when Patrick Ferry seemed ready to pounce for an equaliser.

Tony McNamee riffled a free kick into the wall but chances were rare for the visitors.

At the other end, Tim Hiemer, the Harps 'keeper was spared when a clearance cannoned off O'Brien-Whitmarsh.

Cobh doubled their lead on 37 minutes when Bosnjak took a pass inside the box and saw his shot take a wicked deflection before looping over Hiemer.

O'Brien-Whitmarsh started in place of the injured Brendeán Frahil in the sole change made by Gary Hunt, the Cobh manager, from the team that lost 4-2 against Wexford a week earlier.

Harps suffered defeat on their travels to Athlone and Murphy rang the changes in Cobh with Darragh Coyle handed his first start. The Burt man was named in the XI alongside Patrick Ferry and Luke O'Brien while Ryan Rainey, Chris Lotefa and Shane McMonagle dropped to the bench.

Rainey and Sean O'Donnell were sent on by Murphy at the interval in a bid to breathe some life into his side.

A minute into the second half, Larkin popped wide when set up by O'Brien-Whitmarsh on the edge of the Harps penalty area.

McKevitt had the ball in the net for a third Cobh goal having scurried into a Jason Abbott pass, but an offside flag halted the hosts' celebrations.

Harps had a good chance to pull a goal back just after the hour, but Success Edogun clipped wide of the far post after a good move involving O'Donnell.

Harps welcome First Division leaders Cork City to Ballybofey next Friday.

Cobh Ramblers: Darragh Burke, Cian Browne, Justin Eguaibor, Dean Larkin, Matthew McKevitt, Jack Larkin, David Bosnjak (Michael McCarthy 84), Charlie O’Brien, Dale Holland, Jason Abbott, Beineon O'Brien-Whitmarsh (Nolan Evers 89).

Finn Harps: Tim Hiemer; Jamie Watson, Matthew Makinson (Sean O'Donnell h-t), Conor Tourish, Luke O'Brien; Darragh Coyle (Ryan Rainey h-t), David Cawley (Mark Mbuli 75), Noe Baba, Patrick Ferry (Max Johnston 59); Tony McNamee; Success Edogun.

Referee: Aaron O'Dowd.