Hanover claimed the points in their first game after the Christmas break thanks to a brace from Jack Murphy and an Eoghan Byrne strike. Harps squandered a series of chances in the opening 15 minutes, Jarno Fischer fired over from 12 yards, Byrne saw his volley from 6 yards somehow saved by the keeper and another Fischer effort was well saved as the hosts went in search of the opening goal. On 20 minutes Hanover broke the deadlock, Adam McCarron's pinpoint free kick finding Byrne at the back post to score from close range. 10 minutes later the lead was doubled, brilliant play down the left between Brandon Kelly and Ryan Brady saw Brady cross for the inrushing Jack Murphy, his volley from 10 yards giving the keeper no chance. Hanover kept pressing and Mikee Horohan will know how he headed wide from 3 yards on the stroke of half time as another chance came went. Pats were better in the opening 15 minutes of the second half but couldn't pick out their runners from a series of long balls over the top of the Hanover back line and just after the hour Harps struck for a third time to wrap up the points. Murphy again on target as he cut in off the left wing before firing low across the keeper into the bottom corner. The post denied Murphy his hat trick on 75 minutes before the visitors got a late consolation through Kieran Nolan as he reacted quickest to a loose ball at the back post to leave it 3-1 at the end. Best for Hanover were Kyle Foley, Dylan Doyle, Brandon Kelly, and Ryan Brady.