CORCORAN KEY AS DERRY BAG THREE AND HOOPS WIN LATE
DINNY CORCORAN got Bohemians’ season off to a winning start with the only goal of the game against newly-promoted Finn Harps at Dalymount. Though Bohs started brightly, Harps carved the first opening on 20 minutes, Daniel O’Reilly heading against the post from skipper Gareth Harkin’s free kick. But Bohs hit back to finish the half strongly, taking the lead on 41 minutes. Striker Corcoran initially stepped over Keith Ward’s diagonal pass to allow the ball through for the run of Keith Buckley. The low cross was then turned home by Corcoran, in off the post. Harps keeper Peter Burke excelled twice to deprive Danny Mandroiu and Ward before the hour mark.
THE INCLUSION of nine new faces helped Derry City open the new season with a fine win over UCD at a blustery Brandywell. It was a good night for the ‘Candystripes’ all round with a healthy attendance of 3,500 applauding Declan Devine’s side off the pitch. Derry’s early pressure was rewarded after 21 minutes when Ciaran Harkin played in David Parkhouse and Derry’s on-loan striker from Sheffield United gleefully guided the ball home from close range. Derry doubled their lead on 58 minutes when UCD centre back Josh Collins diverted the ball into his own net following a mix-up with keeper Conor Kearns. And Derry ended the game as a contest in the 66th minute as the students continued to struggle. The impressive Harkin fed the ball through to Eoghan Stokes and the ex-Bohs player lashed home to seal the win and set up a great start to the season.
LOCAL lad Ethan Boyle silenced a throbbing RSC by securing Shamrock Rovers a last-gasp opening-night victory against Waterford. Before 4,152 fans, debutant Kevin Lynch gave the home crowd something to shout about on 22 minutes with an exquisite free-kick. Just after half-time Rovers levelled it though. Dan Carr was unable to get a clean connection on his shot from a cross but recovered to square for Aaron Greene to tap home. Then, the late Rovers pressure finally told in the last minutes of stoppage-time when a corner from the right was turned in by right-full Boyle.