First Division champions, Galway United, enjoyed a winning, if scrappy, homecoming tonight at Eamonn Deacy Park, overcoming a resilient Finn Harps.

Darren Murphy was in the away dugout after Dave Rogers stepped away from his managerial role at Finn Harps over the weekend, as Galway looked to add more woe to Harps’ horrendous season.

Eleven minutes elapsed before the champions enjoyed their best chance, Rob Manley beautifully dribbling and crossing for Stephen Walsh, whose header went just wide.

Francely Lomboto was next to dazzle with sublime footwork and his cross was almost turned in by Edward McCarthy as the hosts settled into Harps’ attacking half.

Despite conceding five at Cobh Ramblers on Friday, away keeper, Antonio Tuta kept his side level with a fine save from David Hurley’s free kick, Jamie Watson the next away player to excel, his impeccably timed tackle denying Manley a tap-in on the rebound.

At the other end, BJ Banda squandered Harps’ first chance, heading over the bar.

For all that they were under the cosh, tonight’s showing was a considerable improvement on Harps’ last visit here in May when they went 4-0 down in the first twenty minutes.

Injury forced the livewire Lomboto off early, former Harps defender, Regan Donelon next to try his luck, dipping an effort just past the post.

Galway did though go ahead, four minutes before the break, Lomboto’s replacement, Wassim Aouachria accelerating and fizzing the ball in which hit the post and bobbled up invitingly for Walsh who wellied it in from close range, the scrappily dogged manner neatly encapsulating the first half.

The goal was later accredited as an own goal off Watson.

Tuta kept the deficit at one when the marauding McCarthy went through, the Croat making himself big to save the shot.

Hurley went close again as a mazy run and left footer was tipped away by an alert Tuta, Walsh whacking the woodwork from the resulting corner.

Again, McCarthy went agonisingly close, another effort tricking menacingly across goal with nobody able to apply a crucial touch, as the gap remained 1-0.

Rob Slevin planted a header just too high as set pieces continued to bamboozle a resolute Harps as Galway emptied their bench to try and maintain a perfect Eamonn Deacy league run.

Substitute Max Hutchison mopped up with a goal line clearance, Harps spirited until the end, even though a Galway replacement, Vincent Borden, almost thumped a free kick into the top corner.

Adam Duffy made his Harps debut off the bench late on, unable though to turn the tide for the side from Donegal.

The trophy lift for Galway United set to be cherished in front of the home fans with the unbeaten fortress intact again after tonight’s victory, a well-deserved celebration of a terrific season that still has a FAI Cup semi-final to come.

It’s another home match for Galway next, welcoming Athlone Town here on Friday evening.  At the same time, Harps head homewards too, hosting Kerry FC (both 7:45pm Kos).