Trailing by a goal after only eleven minutes of play, the Donegal representation hit back with two of their own before the change of ends and despite a sustained period of pressure from John Ryan's Kildare outfit, Harps held out and put the gloss on the evening with a third goal late on.

The home side may argue that they should have taken something from this contest and, to be fair, they would be right, but their failure to take chances ultimately cost them.

Anthony Gorman's side made the ling journey to Newbridge without the services of two noteable absentees. Conor Gethins and Chris Breen have departed from the Ballybofey based club to sign loan deals with Galway and Shamrock Rovers respectively.

Their places in the starting eleven were taken by Davitt Walsh and Barry Curran who were returning from spells on the sidelines for differing reasons. Walsh returned from suspension while Ballindrait man Curran was making his first start after a layoff with an injury.

Davitt Walsh- Superb Performance

The bad week became worse for Harps eleven minutes into the contest when they found themselves a goal down. Alan Byrne's through ball found Trevor Brewers who beat the offside trap and fired a low effort right footed into the far corner of James Gallagher's net.

The small band of travelling supporters feared the worst, but ten minutes later the record breaker was on hand to quell the fears.

Jonathan Minnock, who was making his 398 th appearance for Harps on Saturday evening – beating Jim Sheridan's long-standing record of 397 – popped up for his second goal in a fortnight as he connected with Barry Curran's centre to head beyond Kennedy for the leveller.

Just after the half-hour mark, Harps got their noses in front. This time Minnock turned provider with a left wing cross for Matthew Crossan. The Killea native saw his shot blocked by Kennedy, but on hand was Barry Curran to apply the finish from close range for his second goal in Harps colours.

Philip Gorman had County's best opening for an equaliser before half time but he shot wide from a good position on the edge of the box.

The second instalment saw The Thoroughbreds lay siege on the Harps defence as they piled on the pressure in search of the elusive equaliser which, thankfully for the visitors, wasn't forthcoming.
Four minutes into the second period Philip Gorman passed Shane Bradley down the right and saw his shot beaten away into the path of Bowers by James Gallagher.

The rebound fell awkwardly for Bowers though and when the shooting chance eventually arose, Harps had ample bodies back to clear the danger.

Right-back Barry Slattery went close to equalising with a stinging drive from distance just shy of the hour mark. Gallagher did well to dive to his left and divert round the post for a corner.

Alan Mulanney, Stephen Mc Crossan and Alan Byrne all had chances for the hosts but it just wasn't to be and in the closing chapter, Shane O'Connor charged down a potential attack in the middle of the park.

Many in attendance believed the young Ballyshannon man had blocked with his arm, but he was allowed continue and Stephen O'Donnell broke to round Kennedy and tap home into the net to seal a precious win for the Twin Towns men.

Next up is a home game against Kilkenny City this coming Saturday evening.

Kildare County: Brendan Kennedy; Barry Slattery, Gareth Christie, Ian Malone, Alan Mc Dermott; Alan Mulanny, Stephen Cooling, Alan Byrne, David Scully; Philip Gorman, Trevor Bewers. Subs: Philip Byrne (for Malone); Stephen Mc Crossan (for Scully); Darren Mc Kenna (for Slattery).

Finn Harps: James Gallagher; Sean Mc Gowan, Jonathan Minnock, Eloka Asokhu, Shane Bradley; Chris Malseed, Michael Funston, David Bell, Barry Curran, Matthew Crossan; Davitt Walsh. Subs: Shane O'Connor (for Funston); Stephen O'Donnell (for Walsh); Darren Meenan (for Curran).

Referee: Mark Gough (Limerick).

Finn Harps Dot Com Man-of-the-Match: Harps had a number of noteworthy performers with Shane Bradley particularly prominent at the heart of the Harps rearguard while Jonathan Minnock was involved in almost everything positive about Harps.

But, for sheer effort and determination from his isolated position in the one-man attack, Davitt Walsh clinches the award.

Time and time again, the young Kerrykeel man could be seen tracking back deep to set off an attack and his all round play was admirable and particularly pleasing on a week in which Harps lost two bright young stars.

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