McAleer lifts Harps out of relegation zone

FINN HARPS rose out of the relegation zone last night thanks to a second home win this week.

Ciaran O’Connor, Danny Morrissey and Caolan McAleer netted as Ollie Horgan’s side claimed a precious win.

Harps – cheered on by Donegal boxing star Jason Quigley – had a dream start as O’Connor’s fifth goal of the season put them in front on seven minutes.

Paddy McCourt’s corner, after Freddy Hall turned over a brilliant Ciaran Coll header, was headed back by Ethan Boyle and, with Morrissey unable to steer in his acrobatic effort, the in-rushing O’Connor applied the finish.

The lead barely lasted two minutes as Lee-J Lynch’s longrange free-kick sailed all the way into the Harps net.

But Harps got back in front midway through the first half.

Coll’s diagonal ball was cushioned into the penalty area by McAleer and Morrissey stretched to apply the finishing touch.

McAleer got in on the act on 40 minutes, curling in off the bar from 20 yards.

Limerick ought to have pulled a goal back three minutes into the second half, but Rodrigo Tosi somehow fired wide after connecting with a cross by Killybegs native Shaun Kelly.

It was a nervy finale as Limerick substitute Paul O’Conor finished from the edge of the box and Harps had Morrissey sent off in added time for his part in a clash with Paul O’Conor.