Dallas delight for Irish

The Irish connection at FC Dallas got the new Major League soccer season off to a flying start with a 2-1 home victory over Chicago Fire at the Cotton Bowl.

Ronnie O’Brien set up the Dallas opener in the second minute. The former Republic of Ireland U21 midfielder crossed for Carlos Ruiz to knock down for strike partner Richard Mulrooney to score.

Manchester United target Eddie Johnson extended the Dallas lead just after half-time and then things were made a lot easier for the Northern Ireland management team of head coach Colin Clarke and assistant Steve Morrow when Chicago had a man sent off.

The Fire pulled one back in the 73rd minute but Dallas, formerly known as the Burn, held on for an opening day victory.