Finn Harps play-off push over with defeat by Cobh Ramblers in Cork

Finn Harps' play-off push is all but over following their 4-1 defeat to Cobh Ramblers at St Colman’s Park.

Kevin McHugh’s side lost the game during a first half that saw Barry Coffey score a hat-trick.

There was no way back, despite Hans Mpongo reducing the deficit and pulling one back before the break.

It finished as a frustrating defeat, another one in a fixture that Finn Harps have struggled with this season, with just one point taken from four meetings with Cobh.

The Ramblers, who are managed by former Glentoran boss Mick McDermott, were relentless in their pursuit of another league win as they looked to keep up with Dundalk at the top of the table.

Finn Harps were in a different position, especially with Kevin McHugh managing a period that saw three games across eight days. Their last outing was on Monday, and it saw a crushing 3-1 defeat to play-off rivals Wexford on home soil, with former Cobh player Dean Larkin hitting a hat-trick.

This time it was Coffey, with the midfielder hitting the back of the net in the tenth minute by guiding in a Bargary cross.

That was a just reward after an opening that saw the midfielder work with former Wales U21 international Iestyn Hughes to win two early corners.

Harps did not have a response and instead took a step back as they looked to stem the claret and blue tide.

It did not work, as Coffey was able to stab in a low Hughes pass in the 24th minute for his second of the night.

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Dylan McGlade wanted in on the action with his next touch, and this was pushed away with a diving save by Lorenzo Piaia.

The visitors rarely had these kinds of moments, whereas everything felt so easy for Cobh. This showed with their third as Coffey was able to nod the ball in after the Finn Harps goalkeeper misjudged a cross in the 33rd minute.

Hans Mpongo pulled one back with a right footed breakaway strike before the break, and the home side went into the interval leading 3-1.

This raised the question of a comeback and a heroic second half mission by a team desperate to keep their season alive.

The Ramblers had no interest in this narrative, as they were comfortable and saw the game out. This meant further chances, starting with McGlade in the 48th minute at the Liam McMahon Stand.

Piaia stopped this by diving low, and this was the start of a string of excellent saves by the goalkeeper throughout the second half.

Coffey and Gourdie also tried their luck during this period from distance, and their problem was finding the target.

Bargary eventually got through by half volleying the ball in with his right boot after a free-kick dropped to him inside the area in the 88th minute.

The full-time result has put the Harps down eighth place with 35 points collected from 33 games.

Treaty United sit in fifth following their dramatic draw with Kerry FC at Mounthawk Park, with seven separating the two teams with three left to play.

For McHugh and his players, a comeback would mean getting a result next week against Dundalk at Oriel Park.

Cobh Ramblers: Timothy Martin; Iestyn Hughes, Cian Coleman, Jonas Hakkinen, John O’Donovan, Niall O’Keeffe (Harvey Cribb 90), Rhys Gourdie (Mikey Carroll 90), Cian Bargary, Barry Coffey, Dylan McGlade (Samuel Bellis 87), Cian Murphy (Matthew Whelan 90).

Finn Harps: Lorenzo Piaia; Josh Cullen, Max Hutchison, Daniel Cunningham, Kieran Cooney, Oran Brogan, Tony McNamee, Gradi Lomboto (Gavin Hodgins 64), Gavin McAteer, Idir Zerrouk, Hans Mpongo. 

Referee: Daniel Murphy.