HIGH V OL T A G E FROM W A T T S Dundalk have to dig deep to secure a draw
Dylan gives Rovers the spark they need to down Derry
Watts 29, Mceneff 79 (pen) DYLAN WATTS provided Shamrock Rovers with the initial spark they needed to maintain their early season surge.
And cheeky Aaron Mceneff added the gloss with a late Panenka penalty against the club he just left as the Hoops made it two wins from two.
Rovers boss Stephen Bradley blasted critics in the build-up for suggesting all they need for title glory is to unearth a free-scoring striker.
But it was left to the midfield maestros to deliver the victory that sets up a tasty top-of-the-table derby clash with fierce rivals Bohs in Dalymount on Monday.
Derry were also opening night winners but struggled here to lay a glove in the final third and their misery was compounded when Jamie Mcgrath saw red late on.
The new South stand was wedged on its opening night, with the vocal Rovers hardcore settling into their new home.
But this ground is exposed on the best of days and while the stand smothered some of the gale ripping in from the mountains behind, the wind still wreaked havoc.
Rovers know a good start is half the battle if they are to break Dundalk’s dominance this year and they are off to a flyer, with scope for improvement.
In front of 4,522, Aaron Greene went close to an early opener only to see Peter Cherrie cut out his shot from Mceneff ’s clever ball
And three minutes later, Greene had the ball in the net but his effort was chalked off for offside. Declan Devine’s reshaped, youthful Derry side was full of energy and Rovers discovered that time on the ball was at a premium.
Like heat-seeking missiles, a swarm of Derrymen latched on to any green and white shirts in possession – but that tenacity couldn’t last.
Initially, it left Rovers in a bind as they struggled to generate momentum and Jack Byrne, in particular, cut a frustrated figure.
So too Hoops boss Bradley, who watched from a stairwell in the stand as he served the last of a twogame ban from last season.
But Bradley and his players had reason to cheer soon after as Watts’ opener on the half hour changed everything.
Former Hoop Ally Gilchrist’s header – as Derry cleared a throw-in at the second attempt – was weak and Watts slammed home from just inside the area.
It settled Rovers, who passed the ball fluently thereafter despite the trying conditions.
Derry created nothing in the opening half but, wind-assisted after the break, Eoghan Stokes had Alan Mannus at full stretch with a fizzing 40-yard drive.
David Parkhouse’s booming throw-ins also caused chaos and Michael Mccrudden injected purpose off the bench, but the visitors lacked steel at the back.
And when Eoin Toal brought Orhan Vojic down, Mceneff dinked home the cheekiest penalty before Mcdonagh lost his head at the death by poleaxing Clarke.
Roll on Monday, when Dalymount should be lively...
Finn Harps
CHAMPIONS Dundalk were held to a second successive draw as they had to come from behind to get a point at newly promoted Finn Harps.
Dundalk came close to taking the lead on 21 minutes when Sean Murray found Patrick Hoban inside the box but his spectacular effort whizzed just outside the upright.
On 32 minutes Hoban was hacked down by Keith Cowan and from the resulting free-kick, Dean Massey’s measured shot smacked off the crossbar.
But Harps took the lead on 41 minutes when defender Keith Cowan rose about the visiting defence to head home a Raffaele Cretaro cross.
And Harps almost grabbed a second moments later as Boyle snaked his way into the box and tried to pick out the advancing Boyd, but Chris Shields made a vital interception.
Dundalk equalised on 70 minutes when captain Brian Gartland met a Michael Duffy corner with a thundering header from close range.
Cork City
1
Dundalk
1
Waterford United
WATERFORD secured the bragging rights with victory in the Munster derby at Turner’s Cross.
The visitors had the better of the early exchanges and took a deserved lead going in at the break. Bastien Hery cut in from the wing and curled an effort into the bottom corner of the net.
City were far from their best in the first half, with Kevin O’connor’s effort which was saved by Matt Connor the closest they came to scoring.
Scott Twine nearly doubling the lead for the visitors, while at the other end Karl Sheppard saw his effort cleared off the line.
Waterford capped a fine away performance with a late second to seal it, Zak Elbouzedi blasting home after a devastating counter attack.