Finn Harps fall to third successive defeat as 16-year-old Umeh strikes for Cork
Cork City scored twice in the second half to earn a win at Finn Park to maintain their position as the front-runners in the First Division
Finn Harps suffered a third successive defeat as second-half goals by Sean Murray and Jaden Umeh saw Cork City add three points to the team coach for the long trip to Leeside.
Murray opened the scoring in the 63rd minute and teenage star Umeh sealed the win ten minutes later to keep Cork well clear at the First Division's summit.
It wasn't quite a smash-and-grab in Ballybofey, but it was an evening when Darren Murphy's Harps should have been in front – and will feel the scoreboard represents a harsh reflection of their evening's work.
Murray headed home a 63rd minute opener for the Rebels, who are unbeaten in 12.
Umeh, who has been linked with a move to Portugese giants Benfica, came off the bench to seal three points for Tim Clancy's City.
After back-to-back defeats on the road against Athlone Town and Cobh Ramblers, Harps had an unexpected return to home soil. With the pitch at Turner's Cross out of commission for a short period, the fixture was reversed, although recent floodlight failure at Finn Park necessitated a 6pm kick-off.
The evening began with a minute's applause in honour of former League of Ireland President and Finn Harps Chairman Derek Wilkinson who recently passed away following an illness.
Harps should have taken the lead in the 19th minute. O'Donnell kept a move alive after a fine ball in by Rainey and, from O'Donnell's cut-back, Patrick Ferry riffled over the River End's crossbar from six yards.
Earlier, Matthew Makinson headed wide after being picked out by a Luke O'Brien free.
The lively Ferry danced his way into position after picking the pockets of the Cork rearguard, but visiting goalkeeper Bradley Wade was out to save. The follow-up by O'Donnell was also touched away by Wade.
On the back of a big 4-1 win at Longford last weekend, Cork arrived in the north west with spirits high. Cian Bargary, Josh Fitzpatrick and Cathal O'Sullivan all returned to the starting XI with Cian Murphy out, Barry Coffey and Jaden Umeh dropping out.
Ferry's spurned chance came just 90 seconds after Cian Bargary let fly for Cork with a left-footed effort that had Tim Hiemer momentarily worried.
Luke O'Brien, on loan at Harps from St Patrick's Athletic, had a similar chance at the other end.
Cork stole in front when Murray headed home his second of the season just after the hour, climbing high to steer to the net from a Greg Bolger corner.
Ten minutes later, Umeh, introduced as a substitute, punished the dallying Noe Baba and finished well past Tim Hiemer.
Earlier this month, Umeh became Cork City's youngest ever senior goalscorer when finding the net in a 1-1 draw with Wexford at 16 years and 14 days.
Harps are back at home next Friday with Treaty United due in the Twin Towns.
Finn Harps: Tim Hiemer; Jamie Watsoon, Noe Baba, Matthew Makinson, Shane McMonagle, Luke O'Brien (Chris Lotefa 79); Sean O'Donnell (Max Johnston 86), Tony McNamee, Ryan Rainey (Stephen Doherty 59); Success Edogun, Patrick Ferry (Mark Mbuli 79).
Cork City: Bradley Wade; Harry Nevin (Darragh Crowley 81), Cian Coleman, Charlie Lyons; Greg Bolger (Barry Coffey 76), Sean Murray; Josh Fitzpatrick (Harvey Skieters 81), Cian Bargary, Cathal O'Sullivan, Evan McLaughlin; Nathan Woods (Jaden Umeh 59).
Referee: Mark Moynihan