Shamrock Rovers 1 Finn Harps 4: Besieged by never-ending off-field problems, Shamrock Rovers carelessly contributed to the their on-field worries by surrendering this "six-pointer" at home to their nearest rivals.
After a bright Harps start, in which striker Kevin McHugh forced Barry Murphy into a point-blank save, Rovers soon found their footing. Eager to get forward, the home side were caught offside four times in two minutes.
But despite that enthusiasm, Harps scored first. Chris Breen and McHugh exchanged neat touches in the Rovers box on 23 minutes before the latter curled the ball into Murphy's net.
Straight from the restart Rovers equalised. Pat McCourt, as he has done so often this season, conjured something out of nothing and, after spotting Gavin Cullen off his line, shot high into the net from 30 yards.
Nine minutes from the break Paddy McGrenaghan cut in from the left to put Harps back in front when his effort deflected off Jason Gavin and looped in.
Rovers' sluggishness tracking back cost them a third goal and ultimately the game. Harps swept upfield in the 56th minute and McHugh threaded a neat ball between two defenders for Breen to score from close range.
Twelve minutes later McCourt was red carded for a two-footed lunge. Harps got their fourth 15 minutes from time; Stephen Capper striking from six yards to give Harps their first away win of the season.
SHAMROCK ROVERS: Murphy; Gavin, McGuinness, Phillips; Gough, O'Connor, Caffrey, O'Halloran, Rutherford; McCourt, Mooney. Subs: Benni for O'Halloran (58 mins).
FINN HARPS: Cullen; McGowan, Boyle, Esokuh, Minnock; Crossan, Funston, Capper, McGrenaghan; Breen; McHugh. Subs: Rossiter for Crossan (44 mins), Cowan for Minnock (81 mins).
Referee: A Buttimer (Cork)
