Shelbourne take the spoils in thrilling Shamrock Rovers affair

Right from the off and - as expected in front of a crowd of about 4,700 - the home side started at breakneck speed.

THRILLING AFFAIR: Shelbourne’s Mark Coyle with Lee Grace and Dan Cleary of Rovers. Pic: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne

Shelbourne FC 2 Shamrock Rovers 1 

In a thrilling, full-blooded Ringsend Derby, it was Damien Duff’s Reds who emerged victorious over the reigning Champions thanks to two excellent first half goals and, despite missing an early penalty and requiring some last ditch defending at times in the second half, deservedly held on for their first win of the new season.