Finn Harps 0 Cork City 2: Around 3,000 people came to Finn Park on Saturday night as Finn Harps returned to the Premier Division after four seasons but it was Damien Richardson's Cork City who stole the show.

With George O'Callaghan outstanding in midfield for the visitors and Kevin Doyle and John O'Flynn lively in attack, Harps were under pressure from early on. Harps badly missed the suspended Anthony Gorman, and with Gary Crossan injured and no replacement for Tom Mohan, who joined Longford Town, they were lightweight in midfield where youngsters Michael Funston and Seán McGowan had to grapple with their far more experienced opposite numbers.

O'Flynn put Cork ahead with a controversial 25th-minute penalty after he was impeded by Eloka Asokuh and had it not been for some superb goalkeeping by Gavin Cullen the margin at the break could have been greater.

City struck again in the 47th minute with Kevin Doyle pouncing after a mistake by Shane Bradley and he duly dispatched the ball past Cullen.

Harps kept battling but their inexperience showed. "In many ways it was the perfect start. It was a compelling display, and at times we played some scintillating football," beamed Richardson.

FINN HARPS: Cullen; Asokuh, Bradley, Boyle, Rossiter, McGrenaghan, Funston, McGowan, Minnock, Breen, McHugh. Subs: Seydak for McGrenaghan (66 mins)

CORK CITY: Devine; Murphy, Murray, Horgan, Bennett, Woods, O'Callaghan, Gamble, Kearney, O'Flynn, Doyle. Subs: O'Brien for Gamble (83 mins)

Referee: D McKeon (Dublin).