The only consolation for ten-man Finn Harps after tonight is that they may not have to face Waterford next season, the second placed side again waltzing to victory by four goals at Finn Park tonight.

Despite losing heavily on all three meetings previously this season, Harps arrived a little more buoyant than their visitors thanks to a bundled-home Seamas Keogh equaliser late on away to Wexford, the same night Athlone Town frustrated Waterford to a home defeat.

Whilst Ryan Rainey served a suspension, Harps’ top scorer, the indispensable Ryan Flood fired over, Cameron Cresswell similarly miscuing down the other end.

Home keeper, Rory Kelly, was extended by Connor Parsons, tipping his effort behind.

Midway through the opening half however, Waterford struck first, full-back Darragh Power the man to finish off a crafty short free, Harps’ backline again all at sea against these opponents.

They responded well and were only denied a leveller by the width of the post, Flood hitting a scorcher against the inside of the post, some cheer for the beleaguered home faithful.

Caoimhin Porter powered a strike wide as the hosts finished the first half on the front foot, very much still in proceedings.

Parsons powered an early second half effort in which Kelly instinctively leapt and tipped over to keep his side in it.

Probing in attack though, Harps were undone by a scintillating counterattack, led by the reinstated Christie Pattison, who embarked on a brilliantly powerful, sublimely speedy run up field, gliding through timid tackle attempts and picking the perfect pass to Cresswell who clinically finished.

As it often has this season, it then went from bad to worse for Harps, Dean McMenamy robbing a dawdling Max Makinson off the ball, and he sprinted in to superbly score his second goal of the year at Finn Park.

On the hour, further angst was served up for Dave Rogers, as home defender Noe Baba saw red for a ridiculously rash challenge on Parsons, late and dangerous which rightfully left no room for dispute with referee, Mark Houlihan.

With over twenty-five minutes remaining, Waterford inflicted more woe on their hosts, the fourth a really slick move, Power’s cross brilliantly dummied by Cresswell and behind him, McMenamy rifled in a deadly accurate finish to take his tally to two for the evening and three in Ballybofey from two trips there this season!

Away manager, Keith Long, then emptied the bench, his side comprehensively bouncing back from the loss last week.

Tonight’s second half implosion means that Harps have now suffered 7-1, 6-1 and two 4-0 hammerings by Waterford, they at least won’t have to play them again for a while!

Things though don’t get any easier for Finn Harps next week, hosting Premier Division high-flyers, St Patrick’s Athletic in the FAI Cup quarterfinals (8pm KO).  That will see a rescheduled appointment with tearaway First Division league leaders, Galway United at Eamonn Deacy Park.

Without the Cup to occupy them still, Waterford return to the RSC facing third placed, Cobh Ramblers in an intriguing league encounter on the same evening, a week today (7:45pm KO).