Murphy goal propels Rovers to win

Drogheda United 0 Shamrock Rovers 1

An early Alan Murphy goal stunned champions Drogheda at United Park to get Shamrock Rovers' season off to a flier.

Rovers had the perfect start with what proved the only goal of the match after just three minutes.

Drogheda failed to deal with Ger O'Brien's lofted free-kick into their area. The ball dropped kindly for Murphy on the edge of the area and his hooked shot entered the net off the crossbar - to the delight of the 500 Hoops fans at that end of the ground.

Drogheda responded and Shane Robinson brought a save at full stretch from Barry Murphy on 10 minutes.

But Rovers' set-pieces were a problem for Drogheda and a post came to the home side's rescue six minutes later when Darragh Maguire's header from Sean O'Connor's corner came back off the woodwork.

Drogheda continued to struggle, but almost levelled in stoppage time at the end of the first half. Richie Baker's free-kick picked out the head of Paul Keegan who saw his effort come back off the bar.

Drogheda enjoyed all the possession in the second half but failed to create any clearcut chances as Rovers deserved their win.