Battling Finn Harps just edged out by runaway leaders Cork City 

Finn Harps remain fourth after falling to defeat against a Cathal O'Sullivan moment of magic to give table-toppers Cork City a fifth win on the spin.

With a copycat finish of his winner away to Wexford last week, the 17-year-old prodigy cut onto his left foot and drove a dipping curler into the far corner of the Harps in front of 2,194 fans.

That 63rd-minute strike was protected by a 15th clean sheet of the season to ensure their unbeaten home record would continue ahead of their FAI Cup rematch with the Donegal side back at Turner’s Cross next Saturday.

New signing Gavin Gilmore came closest to an equaliser with 10 minutes remaining but his fierce volley was saved by Brad Wade’s legs.

Darren Murphy made four changes from the 1-0 victory over Kerry. Fit-again Conor Tourish gained his first start since April and he was joined in the team by Stephen Doherty, David Cawley, and Aaron McLaughlin. 

Top-scorer Success Edogun and Kevin Jordan were absent from the matchday squad while Noe Baba and Gavin McAteer switched to the bench.

The visitors jumped off to the better start. Within 18 seconds, they almost profited from a Ryan Rainey dispossession but Seán Patton miscued wide. From a Patrick Ferry corner, Tourish flicked a header across the posts and before long, Jamie Watson lashed an ambitious long-range effort over the bar after a strong tackle by Cawley.

City got their first look in the 16th minute. Evan McLaughlin's shot pinballed around the box and ricocheted towards goal off Malik Dijksteel before Matthew Makinson cleared the danger.

McLaughlin was probing high from left-back but picked up a yellow card for diving when adjudged to have fallen too easily under pressure from Watson. Jack Doherty would also go down in the box after a Tourish tackle later in the half but referee Daniel Murphy, correctly, was unmoved.

Tourish came close again when battling to force Tony McNamee's free-kick towards goal but it was turned away by a combination of Wade and the post.

After a drab first half, the second period maintained the same stasis until after the hour mark as more fine defending by Tourish denied Barry Coffey before O'Sullivan's breakthrough.

The exciting academy product had been peripheral until bending the game to his will with that 25-yard finish after Greg Bolger regained possession.

Suddenly, he was central to every move. His brilliant touch led to a Coffey blast over the top and he teed up Doherty for a no-look curler which was gobbled up by away keeper Tim Hiemer.

McLaughlin flashed a dangerous drive across goal and wide before Harps produced their best chance of an equaliser. Gilmore met Max Johnston's cross with a swing of his right boot but Wade saved.

They kept pressing until the end but Wade comfortably gathered McAteer’s stoppage-time shot.

Cork City: Brad Wade; Darragh Crowley, Cian Coleman, Charlie Lyons, Evan McLaughlin; Greg Bolger, Barry Coffey (Arran Healy 78); Cathal O'Sullivan (Matthew Kiernan 86), Jack Doherty, Malik Dijksteel (Cian Murphy 68); Conor Drinan (Josh Fitzpatrick 68).

Finn Harps: Tim Hiemer; Jamie Watson, Conor Tourish (Noe Baba 78), Matthew Makinson, Stephen Doherty (Darragh Coyle 73); David Cawley, Ryan Rainey (Gavin Gilmore 61); Aaron McLaughlin (Max Johnston 61), Tony McNamee, Patrick Ferry (Gavin McAteer 61); Seán Patton.

Referee: Daniel Murphy.