Harps easily overcome struggling Blues

Finn Harps 3 Waterford United 0

Finn Harps have one foot back in the Premier Division as goals from man-of-the-match Declan Boyle and strikers Conor Gethins and Stephen Parkhouse comfortably beat 10-man Waterford in the first leg of the promotion/relegation play-off at Finn Park.

So disgusted with his side's display that Blues boss Gareth Cronin offered his resignation after the match, but the board refused to accept it.

Boyle was left totally unmarked from Marc Brolly's 18th minute corner to head Harps in front.

Blues, who struggled to get a shot on target all night, had Pat Flynn sent off for appearing to head-butt Jonathan Minnock on the hour mark.

Five minutes later, Gethins skipped away onto Michael Funston's pass to lob Dean Delaney to make it 2-0.

Parkhouse added the third goal on 87 minutes after Jonathan Minnock's free-kick ricocheted off the wall.

The sides meet again at the RSC on Friday night.