Ollie Horgan’s side were hoping to leave behind the memory of their 7-0 defeat at the hands of champions Dundalk at Finn Park last Friday.
But Pats were in no mood to take it easy on the Donegal outfit, inflicting their second defeat in as many meetings in recent weeks.
Many argued that Harps were the better side against Pats when the sides met in Ballybofey, a game which Pats won 2-1.
However, two goals in each half in Inchicore has thrown Harps back towards the bottom rungs of the league.
Mark Timlin grabbed a brace in the 9th and 87th minute while in between, Conor Byrne and Billy Dennehy also struck the back of the Harps net.
Ollie Horgan knows he has his work cut out for him to lift the spirits of his side who have conceded 11 goals in just two games.
Next up is a Cup encounter with Crumlin Utd this week.
But as anyone who was in the Aviva Stadium for their FAI Intermediate Final against Letterkenny Rovers will tell you, that will be anything but straight forward.
Finn Harps
(G) Ciaran Gallagher
(D) Damien McNulty
(D) Packie Mailey
(D) Ciaran Coll
(D) Ethan Boyle
(M) Barry Molloy
(M) Tony McNamee
(M) Sean Houston
(M) Adam Hanlon
(M) Ryan Curran
(F) David Scully
Substitutes
Kevin McHugh
Ryan McConnell
Michael Funston
Liam Flatley
Keith Cowan
Richard Brush
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