Bohemians 3
Finn Harps 1
Already relegated Finn Harps ended their season with a disappointing sixth defeat on the trot as they lost out to Bohemians at Dalymount Park.
Bohs were good value for their win and finish fifth.
The home side almost took the lead in the first minute when, following a free, the ball fell to Ismahil Akinade deep inside the box. Ciaran Coll did well to get in a block and although the ball spun into the path of Dinny Corcoran, he could not find the target.
At the other end Ibrahim Keita shot wide for Harps shortly afterwards, but Bohs clearly had the better of the early exchanges against a Harps side that showed one change from the team that lost to Drogheda United with Eddie Dsane, returning from suspension, in for Tommy McBride.
Ciaran Gallagher was called upon to make a decent save on 23 minutes as Akinade burst into the box before shooting from an acute angle.
Bohs, knocking the ball about well, deservedly took the lead on 29 minutes when following a from neat build up Philly Gannon planted the ball in the back of the net at the second attempt after his initial shot was blocked by Gallagher. It was Gannon’s first goal for the Gypsies.
Bohs missed a glorious chance to make it 2-0 on 35 minutes. The home side was awarded a penalty for handball inside the box (against Packie Mailey) - Harps' protests fell on deaf ears - and Corcoran stepped up to take it only to see his shot smack off the post.
Gallagher was forced into action again to save from substitute Jamie Hamilton on 54 minutes as Bohs continued to hold the upper hand.
Paddy McCourt had barely stepped on the field as a substitute for Gareth Harkin when Bohs doubled their tally on on 62 minutes with a cracking second goal.
Derek Pender scampered down the left and whipped in a fine cross for the in-rushing Akinade to meet with power at far post and slam the ball home giving Gallagher no chance.
And Jamie Hamilton then made it 3-0 on 66 minutes when, in space at the far post, he turned home a cross from Oscar Brennan.
Harps pulled one back on 73 minutes, when following a corner, it looked like an own goal from Ian Morris.
But overall Bohs were worth their win on a fine evening before a decent sized crowd at the famous old Phibsboro venue.
Bohemians: McCabe; Wilson, Casey, O’Hora, Pender; Brennan, Gannon, Morris, Kavanagh; Akinade, Corcoran. Subs: Hamilton for Kavanagh (28 mins), O’Hora for Wilson (45 mins), Wearen for Gannon (73 mins), Liam Walsh for Timlin (88 mins).
Finn Harps: Gallagher; McNulty, Mailey, Cantwell, Coll; McAleer, Morrissey, Timlin, Harkin, Dsane; Keita. Subs: McCourt for Harkin (62 mins), Houston for McAleer (70 mins), Walsh for Timlin (80 mins).
Referee: R. Hennessy (Clare).
Cork City are the champions, Dundalk were runners-up, while Shamrock Rovers were third and Derry City fourth.
Drogheda United, Finn Harps and Galway United have been relegated.
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