Stephen Grant scored twice against his former club as Shamrock Rovers beat Shelbourne 3-2 in the big Dublin derby at Tolka Park in the League Cup first round last night.
Grant struck for his first on 13 minutes following a cross from Richie Byrne.
A weakened Shelbourne side equalised four minutes later when Philip Byrne capitalised on a mistake by Rovers' goalkeeper Robbie Horgan to score.
Grant restored Rovers' lead on 22 minutes with a header before namesake, Tony, added a third goal 10 minutes before half-time.
Jonathan Minnock got Shelbourne right back into the match with a 74th minute free-kick, but Rovers held out to advance to the second round.
Cork City beat Cobh Ramblers 2-0 at St Colman's Park. Striker Noel Hartigan got the first after 30 minutes with a simple tap-in after Pat Morley had flicked on an Ollie Cahill cross. Cahill then added Cork's second goal on 53 minutes.
Longford Town scored twice within eight minutes on their way to a 3-0 win in the midlands derby with Athlone Town at Flancare Park to end a run of nine matches without a win.
Athlone goalkeeper Gary Connaugthon failed to hold Sean Prunty's cross to gift Eric Lavine the opening goal after just four minutes.
First Division Sligo Rovers heaped further misery on Monaghan United with a 2-1 win at the Showgrounds.
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