McCOURT IS SPOT ON FOR HARPS

PROMOTION/RELEGATION PLAY-OFF FIRST LEG

FORMER Northern Ireland and Celtic player Paddy McCourt made his Finn Park farewell by netting the only goal of the contest to give his side the advantage ahead of the second leg. McCourt (34), who is retiring at the end of the season, fired home a 36th-minute penalty with Harps heading to Premier Division Limerick on Friday. The scorer was given a standing ovation when he went off in the 77th minute. Despite the defeat, Limerick will take much heart from a spirited display and may have taken the lead when Conor Ellis hit the post after a defensive mix-up. Soon after, Jesse Devers earned his side the spot kick which was converted by McCourt. Barry Maguire had an 88th-minute chance for the Shannonsiders but his shot was tipped over the crossbar by home keeper Peter Burke. FINN HARPS: Burke; Kavanagh, Borg, Cowan, Todd, Coll; Devers (Logue 88), McCourt (Sobowale 77), Harkin; Place, Boyle (O’Flynn 90). Scorer: McCourt (pen) 36. LIMERICK: Holland (Brady 70); Kelly, Cantwell, Brouder, Tracy; Dennehy, Coleman, Duggan, O’Sullivan (W Fitzgerald 52); Maguire, Ellis (Morrissey, 78). Referee: R Harvey (Dublin).