A goal from Gavin Doyle three minutes into added time earned St Francis a surprise win over Dundalk at Oriel Park.

Substitute David Hoey's second-half equaliser was to no avail as Dundalk, dreadful in front of goal, began their first season in the First Division in the worst way possible.

Hoey struck in the 77th minute to finally beat Cathal Warfield in the St Francis goal after David Ward pulled the ball back.

It was harsh on Warfield who had heroically kept out everything Dundalk had thrown at him including a 67th minute penalty save from David Crawley.

The visitors started brightly and caught Dundalk cold after seven minutes when Brian Sheehan raced through onto Brian Rickard's pass to clip it over Brendan Murphy and give St Francis, who won only two games in the whole of last last, the perfect start.

A penalty three minutes from time gave Cobh Ramblers, beaten to promotion via the play-off last season, a 1-0 win over Monaghan United at St Colman's Park.

Summer signing Donal Golden stepped up to beat Monaghan goalkeeper Eddie Kehoe with a rising shot from the spot.

Monaghan were then deprived of an equaliser within a minute when John Donegan, making his debut in the Cobh goal, produced a remarkable save to foil Andy Myler.

Limerick player/manager, Tommy Lynch, salvaged a point for his side with a 66th minute equaliser against Home Farm Fingal at Whitehall on Saturday night.

Home Farm built up a 2-0 lead by the 43rd minute with strikes from Robbie Farrell and Mark Patton - who was then sent-off 10 minutes from time - before John Whyte got Limerick back into the match with a goal seconds before the interval.