Killeshin FC 1

Hanover Harps 2

Phil Neenan's second half penalty earned the win for Harps after this keenly contested encounter.

Killeshin had the best of the early chances, Adam Steed hitting the side netting and firing over when well placed in the opening 15 minutes. As Harps grew into the game, they drew first blood, Colin Campion was fouled 25 yards from goal and Alan Shaw curled the resulting free kick into the top corner to give the visitors the edge midway through the half. Campion had a chance to double the lead five minutes before the break but an excellent save from Isaac Talent kept it to 1-0 at the break.

Killeshin came flying out of the traps in the second half and were level within three minutes of the restart, Liam Seery’s pass found Adam Steed on the edge of the penalty area and his shot on the turn found the net via the foot of the post for 1-1. With the game finally balanced it was Harps that would strike next, Murt Bamberick broke free of the Killeshin back line but was fouled as he pulled the trigger on Talent's goal and as the referee pointed to the spot Killeshin lost a man to a second yellow in the protests that followed. Neenan kept his cool to slot the penalty and Harps had the lead against ten men. Killeshin pushed forward in search of an equaliser but left themselves exposed at the back and but for a string of fine saves from Talent Harps could have been out of sight, Talent denying Alan Shaw, Bamberick, Campion and Vincent Oba. Killeshin tried to take advantage of those missed chances late on but despite getting plenty of ball into the Harps area they couldn't trouble Anto McGrath in the visitors’ goal as Hanover held on for the win and reward the efforts of Cathal Coughlan, Jason Murphy, Johnny Waters and Eoghan Byrne.

Killeshin’s best included Liam Seery, John Fleming, Aaron McCafferty and 'keeper Isaac Talent.