A goal in the 52nd minute from Colin O'Brien was enough to secure all three points for Cork City on Saturday night and condemn Finn Harps to their second defeat of the season.

The home side had the best chance of a very low-key first half when Paddy McGrenaghan's shot was hacked off the line in the 45th minute by Stephen Napier.

There was a much brighter start to the second half and Gareth Downey had to be at his best to tip away a fierce shot from Cork City's Ollie Cahill in the 48th minute.

Four minutes later Cork City made the breakthrough when John Caulfield beat Declan Boyle and sent in a cross that O'Brien rifled home from six yards.

Five minutes later, Noel Mooney made a terrific stop to keep Cork City ahead and he managed to get a touch on James Mulligan's header in the 60th minute to again deny Finn Harps. The home side pressed forward at every opportunity for the rest of the match but could find no way through, as Cork City clung on.

FINN HARPS - Downey; O'Hanlon, Minnock, Boyle, Bradley, Tierney, McGrenaghan, Mohan, Mulligan, Nesovic, Harkin. Subs: Kenny for Harkin 69 mins, Speak for McGrenaghan 84 mins.

CORK CITY - Mooney; Horgan, Delaney, Daly, Napier, O'Brien, Cahill, Flanagan, Herrick, Morley, Caulfield. Subs: O'Donoghue for Napier 84 mins, Freyne for Flanagan 74 mins, Cotter for Morley half-time.

Referee: J Feighrey (Dublin).