Finn Harps will take a commanding lead into Friday's second leg of the eircom Premier League play-off after beating Waterford United 3-0 at Finn Park this evening.
Centre half Declan Boyle opened the scoring with his ninth of the season in the 18th minute. The veteran rose highest to power home a header from a corner kick.
In the 63rd minute striker Conor Gethins doubled that lead with a neat lob of Dean Delaney in the Waterford goal.
Harps kept the pressure up in the second half and finally got their third three minutes from time when Stephen Parkhouse netted.
Finn Harps:Gallagher, McLaughlin, Minnock, Boyle, Holmes. Shields, Funston, McGowan, Parkhouse, Gethins, Brolly. Subs:Divin for Brolly (71 mins)
Waterford United:Delaney, Flynn, Hedderman, Hayes, Breen, D. Mulcahy, McCarthy, Kearney, Kiely, Scully. Subs: A. Mulcahy for Scully (45 mins), Brown for Breen (66 mins), Lordan for Kearney (72 mins).
