Finn Harps 2 Shamrock Rovers 0:FINN HARPS are heading back to the First Division - having missed out by a point on the final evening of the campaign.

Harps went into the game knowing they had to win and needing Galway United to slip up against UCD at Belfield.

But while they obliged in front of their Finn Park fans, UCD did them no favours.

Revved up Harps broke the deadlock on 29 minutes when full back Marc Mukendi scored only his second goal for the club with a shot that squirmed through a crowded goalmouth and into the net.

Five minutes later Conor Gethins darted through on goal but goalkeeper Barry Murphy advanced to thwart him, but the striker made amends on 37 minutes as he capitalised on suspect defending to slot in Harps' second.

Harps never looked like letting Rovers back into the game in the second half and goalkeeper James Gallagher, in his final game before retiring due to recurring injuries, was rarely tested.

FINN HARPS: Gallagher: Mukendi, Boyle, Minnock, Holmes; Funston, McGowan, McCafferty, Breen; Parkhouse, Gethins.

SHAMROCK ROVERS: Murphy: Madden, O'Brien, Price, Flynn; Doyle, D O'Connor, Rice, S O'Connor; Amond, Purcell. Subs: Martin for S O'Connor (62 mins), Leech for Purcell (77 mins).

Referee: D Tomney (Dublin).