The first goal at Oriel Park goes the way of @sligorovers @SSEAirtricityLg #rtesoccer pic.twitter.com/ZfngoHVpe6 — RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) February 15, 2019 Clinical Candystripes Derry City thumped UCD 3-0 at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium to end the opening round of fixtures at the summit of the table. The home side started somewhat slowly, and UCD had a chance to take the lead in the opening minutes, but couldn't find the back of the net during a goalmouth scramble in the third minute. Derry settled into the match, and David Parkhouse fired the home side into the lead in the 25th minute, before an unfortunate own goal from Joshua Collins doubled Derry's advantage shortly before the hour mark. Eoghan Stokes found the back of the net seven minutes later to cap off an impressive night for the Candystripes on home soil. Derry debutant Ogedi-Uzokwe twice came close to opening his account with the club, but the hosts had to settle for three goals and as many points. It was the perfect start to Declan Devine's second spell as manager.
A winning start for Declan Devine on his return to the hotseat at @derrycityfc as the Candystripes ease past @ucdafc 3-0 at the Ryan McBride Brandywell pic.twitter.com/Fu2LfFhiQm — RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) February 15, 2019 Late drama in Waterford Shamrock Rovers beat Waterford 2-1 at Waterford Regional Sports Centre. The home side took the lead through a sublime Kevin Lynch free kick in the 22nd minute, but Aaron Greene restored parity for Rovers 10 minutes into the second half for Stephen Bradley's visitors. Ethan Boyle's late goal in the dying seconds sealed all three points for Rovers, who will be looking to break into the top two this season. Damien Delaney captained the hosts, and Aaron Drinan started after rejoining the club on loan from Ipswich. Jack Byrne and Aaron McEneff both started for Rovers, and the visitors were full value for their dramatic late win.
.@shamrockrovers left it late, but they left Waterford with the win with a dramatic 2-1 victory over @WaterfordFCie at the RSC pic.twitter.com/TtuFXc53Ud — RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) February 15, 2019 St. Pat's penalty sinks Cork A Mikey Drennan penalty inflicted a 1-0 defeat on Cork City in Inchicore. The debutant kept his cool from 12 yards to fire Pat's in front on the half hour mark after a clumsy tackle on Conor Clifford in the box by Conor McCarthy. It was largely a scrappy game at Richmond Park, but new Saints manager Harry Kenny will be delighted to start his tenure with a win. The Leesiders had the better of the opening stages, with new signing James Tilley going close with a 12th minute header. Brendan Clarke also made a stunning save to deny Gary Buckley, but John Caulfield's visitors failed to make the pressure pay. The hosts led at the break, despite midfield maestro Chris Forrester having a quiet game on his competitive return to Irish football. McCarthy and Madden went close for Cork and Pat's respectively in the latter stages, but the home side survived six minutes of extra time to start the season with an excellent victory.
Here is the only goal of the game at Inchicore as a Mikey Drennan gave @stpatsfc the three points against @corkcityFC in a 1-0 win pic.twitter.com/kNOgrzGxt7 — Soccer Republic (@SoccRepublic) February 15, 2019 Bohs trump Harps at Dalymount Dinny Corcoran scored the winner as Bohs beat Finn Harps 1-0 at Dalymount Park. Bohs - fielding five debutants in their starting 11 - started brightly in front of their home fans, but newly promoted Harps almost opened the scoring in the 20th minute when Daniel O'Reilly's header from a free kick rebounded off the post. The home side scored the only goal of the game four minutes before the break. Keith Buckley's simple cross found Corcoran, and the 30-year-old striker converted via the post to give Bohs the lead. The Dublin club had plenty of chances to add to their lead in the second half, but Harps 'keeper Peter Burke kept the visitors in the game. The visitors from Donegal's return to the top division ended in defeat, and Harps now have a home clash with Dundalk to look forward to next week.
Dinny Corcoran settles the game at Dalymount Park as @bfcdublin defeat @FinnHarps 1-0 pic.twitter.com/zMqhtBGDZo — RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) February 15, 2019