Eircom League: Wins for champs Bohs and St Pats

Eircom League champions Bohemians kicked off the defence of their title with a win over Derry City while their Dublin rivals St Pats easily saw off the challenge of Galway.

Bohemians 1 Derry City 0

Avery John gave Bohs the perfect start in defence of their title with an early

goal at Dalymount.

John arrived to score with a free head from Paul Byrne's free-kick after just

six minutes.

Jamie Hughes almost levelled for injury-hit Derry, but Bohs finished strongly

and topscorer Glen Crowe was just off target with a header 10 minutes from

time.

St. Patrick's Athletic 3 Galway United 0

Skipper Billy Clery was sent off as Galway self-destructed at Richmond

Park.

Ugandan Mbabazi fired Saints in front on 53 minutes before Clery was red-carded for striking Ger McCarthy 15 minutes later.

He also gave away a penalty which was converted by Martin Russell.

Sub Liam Kelly added the third when lobbing Eddie Hickey on 79 minutes.