The Lifford native had been out of action since breaking a bone in his foot during the league cup win over Galway United earlier in the season, but he returned to action last night and was the hero of the hour after coming off the bench to replace Davitt Walsh in the Harps frontline.

With just nine minutes remaining, Chris Breen was sent down the right hand side and he crossed for Gethins to fire home into the bottom corner from 12 yards. Finn Park breathed a sigh of relief as Harps held out to claim a vital three points for what was their second home win of the season in the league.

The former Ross County man actually shouldn't have been in the squad, but got promoted to the bench after Chris Breen had to take Barry Curran's place in the starting line up. Curran picked up an injury in the warm up and had to withdraw from proceedings.

Having drawn against Galway and Monaghan in the preceding seven days, the mood around Finn Park heading into last night's clash was somewhat downbeat.

CONOR GETHINS- Back With a Bang!

That mood was reflected in the attendance which converged upon the Finn-side venue with a paltry crowd of little over 200 making their way through the respective turnstiles at Chestnut Road and Navenny Street.

The World Cup Quarter Final clash between France and Brazil obviously was more of an attraction to the North-West public.

The crowd who did show up – bar the handful of Limerick fans at the lower end of the sparsely populated stand – feared the worst after just 21 minutes when the visitors grabbed the lead goal.

Centre-back Pat Purcell rose highest in the penalty box to head Kevin Waar's free kick past James Gallagher for the opening goal.

Harps drew level before the interval however. On 36 minutes, Anthony Gorman's free kick was keenly contested in the crowded box.

The ball was headed out by the Limerick defence, but lurking at the edge of the box was Eloka Asokhu and he made no mistake firing past Noel Mooney into the far corner.

Nine minutes into part two, Harps edged in front. After a move down the left involving David Bell and Jonathan Minnock, Davitt Walsh sent over a cross which was too deep, but Chris Breen retrieved.

The flame-haired Stranorlar man cut back for player-manager Anthony Gorman to crack a superb strike past Mooney in the Limerick goal. It was a vintage Gorman goal and the celebration afterwards showed what it meant.

Disaster would strike on 68 minutes when Harps relinquished their precious lead as John Lester levelled from the spot.

Jonathan Minnock fouled Robbie Kelleher and referee Neil Doyle had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Up stepped Lester to confidently tuck the penalty into the net, sending James Gallagher the wrong way.

Sensing another throw-away was on the cards, manager Gorman summonsed his talisman from the confines of the dugout.

Ten minutes after his introduction, he connected with a Breen cross to turn a right footed effort goal ward. The Town End net bulged and the loyal hardcore present gave a huge cheer.

They were very nearly cursing lady luck in the closing stages as Limerick piled on the pressure in search of another equaliser.

Derek Mc Carthy saw his effort blocked with a fine save from James Gallagher, while Kevin Waars watched his cross flash across the goalmouth.

In the end, nothing in the form of additions to the scoreboard materialised and Harps held out for the win.

Next up for them is a trip to Shelbourne in the League Cup this coming Wednesday before away trips to Cobh and Shamrock Rovers in the league.

Certainly, the win over Limerick may inject some much needed confidence into this Harps team, but the fact remains: their defence must be shored up. Another two goals conceded is worrying, particularly as Harps are the highest scorers in the Division.

Finn Harps: James Gallagher; Sean Mc Gowan, David Bell, Eloka Asokhu, Shane Bradley; Chris Malseed, Chris Breen, Jonathan Minnock, Sean Cooney, Anthony Gorman; Davitt Walsh. Subs: Conor Gethins (for Walsh); Matthew Crossan (for Minnock).

Limerick: Noel Mooney; Conor Molan, Brian Buckley, Anthony Wolfe, Pat Purcell; Tommy Barrett, Colm Heffernan, John Lester, Kevin Waars; Robbie Kelleher, Paul Rose. Subs: Ken Kiely (for Buckley); Derek Mc Carthy (for Barrett).

Referee: Neil Doyle.