Rovers build up impressive first leg lead

Lisburn Distillery 0 Shamrock Rovers 3

Goals from Karl Sheppard, Ciaran Kilduff and Dean Kelly all but booked Shamrock Rovers’ place in the semi-finals of the Setanta Sports Cup ahead of next Tuesday’s second leg after this emphatic first leg win at the New Grosvenor Stadium.

Showing the strength in depth of their squad, Rovers made nine changes from the side that beat Sligo Rovers 1-0 at the Showgrounds just 48 hours earlier. And it scarcely affected Michael O’Neill’s side as they were 2-0 up by half-time.

Sheppard put some substance on Rovers’ bright start with the lead goal on 35 minutes. Set-up by Stephen O’Donnell, Sheppard’s 25-yard drive took a deflection off Lisburn midfielder Mark Cooling to loop over keeper Phil Matthews.

Sheppard then turned provider for strike-partner Kilduff to run through, cut past a defender and shoot low to the net. Kelly added the third goal on 67 minutes.

Lisburn finished with ten men when Cooling was sent off for a foul on Paddy Kavanagh on 77 minutes.