Reigning Airtricity League champions Shamrock Rovers got their campaign off to a perfect start with a 3-1 win over Dundalk, while elsewhere there were wins for Sligo Rovers, Bohemians, UCD and St. Patrick’s Athletic.
Shamrock Rovers 3-1 Dundalk
Reigning champions Shamrock Rovers began the defence of their Airtricity League title with an ultimately comfortable victory over Dundalk at Tallaght Stadium, although they were made work hard for their victory by the Louth outfit.
Despite having goalkeeper Peter Cherrie sent off for a professional foul on Gary O’Neill after only 23 minutes, the visitors were the better side in the first half and took the lead a minute before half-time through Jason Byrne, who converted from the spot after being brought down by Dan Murray.
In stoppage time at the end of the half, however, Rovers drew level thanks to a fine long range effort from Gary McCabe.
The Hoops made their numerical advantage tell early in the second half and had the game wrapped up within ten minutes of the restart thanks to two goals from last season’s top scorer, Gary Twigg.
Twigg pounced on a mistake by Dundalk’s Colin Hawkins to head home from close range and put Rovers in front after 49 minutes and made the game safe not long after with a clever finish from the edge of the area after being set up by O’Neill.
The hosts could have added to their lead before the finish and although it wasn’t an emphatic performance by any means, Michael O’Neill will be happy to have started the new season with three points.
Derry City 0-1 Sligo Rovers
A late strike by substitute Aaron Green gave Sligo their first win of the season against newly promoted Derry City at the Brandywell.
Green converted a Raffaele Cretaro cross with only two minutes remaining in what was an impressive display by the Bit O’Red.
The visitors certainly enjoyed the best of the opening half and hit the woodwork twice through Jason McGuinness and Danny Ventre.
Derry’s new signing Eamon Zayed, meanwhile, had a couple of opportunities to open his account for the Candystripes. He headed straight at Clarke from a Gareth McGlynn delivery early on and saw a penalty kick saved by the Sligo ‘keeper just before the break.
Both sides had chances to win the game after the break, but it was Sligo who came away with the spoils after Green’s late intervention.
Bray Wanderers 1-3 Bohemians
Despite a turbulent pre-season, Bohemians got the new campaign off to the best possible start with a comfortable victory over Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds.
Jake Kelly fired home a penalty with less than 20 minutes gone after Ger O’Brien had handled in the area to put the hosts in front, but Bohs were level just after the half hour mark following a penalty kick of their own.
Daire Doyle brought down Lee Dixon inside the area and although Bray protested that the offence had occurred outside the box, referee Tom Connolly awarded the spot-kick and debutant Christy Fagan made no mistake from twelve yards.
Cillian Brennan put Bohs in front with a stunning free-kick after 39 minutes and the Gypsies made sure of the win midway through the second half when another new signing, Anto Flood, slotted the ball home from a Simon Traynor cross.
Jake Kelly had a chance to bring Bray back into it when the Seasiders were awarded another penalty after 69 minutes, but his effort rebounded off the crossbar and Bohs saw out the game and sealed the points with little difficulty.
Drogheda United 0-1 UCD
A goal from Cillian Morrison ten minutes from time was enough to give UCD a vital win over Drogheda in a scrappy affair at Hunky Dorys Park.
As a dull affair looked set to end in stalemate, Morrison bundled home a cross from Ciaran Nangle in one of the few productive attacks of the night.
Morrison caused problems for the Drogheda defence all evening as UCD created the better opportunities. Dinny Corcoran and Darragh Hanaphy had chances for the hosts, but UCD ‘keeper Gerard Barron was a spectator for most of the match as the students remained in the ascendancy throughout.
Galway United 0-3 St. Patrick’s Athletic
Two goals in three minutes just after half time gave St. Patrick’s Athletic the platform for a comfortable victory over Galway United at Terryland Park.
With their existence in the league having been threatened before the start of the season, Galway were determined to make an impression and battled well in the first half, which finished goalless.
Anto Murphy put the visitors in front four minutes after the break with a cracking effort from long range and David McMillan virtually wrapped up the points three minutes later when he finished at the back post after a long throw from Murphy.
Derek Pender added a third in stoppage time for Pete Mahon’s side and although the victory was a deserved one, the final score was probably a little harsh on an enthusiastic Galway side.
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