Shelbourne 0 Finn Harps 1

Richie Foran was sent off on a bad night for Shelbourne which also saw the champions drop three points at home to Harps.

Most of the action came in the opening and closing quarters, with little of note between.

Fergal Harkin crashed an early effort of the underside of the Shels crossbar, before Dessie Baker tested Harps' keeper Gareth Downey with an angled strike.

Harps' winner, grabbed by Yugoslav Alex Nescovic, came twelve minutes from the end. And seven minutes later Foran, a half-time substitute for Davy Byrne, saw red following an off-the-ball incident with Shane Bradley.

Shelbourne: Williams, Heary, Prizeman, McCarthy, Byrne, Scully, D Baker, Doolin, Keddy, Fenlon, R Baker.

Sub: Foran for Byrne 45

Sent Off: Foran 85

Finn Harps: Downey, Mohan, Minnock, Fitzhenry, Kenny, O'Hanlon, Tierney, Challender, McGrenaghan, Nesovic, Harkin.

Subs: Boyle for Mohan 62, Bradley for Fitzhenry 74, Speake for Nesovic 79

Goal: Nesovic 78

Referee: D O'Hanlon (Waterford)