Shamrock Rovers shrugged off some very poor recent performances in the League Cup and got their league campaign off to an ideal start with a fully-merited win over UCD at Belfield yesterday. Mick Byrne has rung in the changes at Rovers and the general expectation was that it would take the team some time to take effect. But from the kick-off Rovers played with an assurance that left UCD's supposedly more settled side struggling in their wake.

Seamus Kelly was by far the busier of the two goalkeepers as Brian Morrisroe and Matt Britton exploited space on the flanks to pump in the crosses for striker Tony Cousins.

It was no surprise when Cousins got away from defender Tony McDonnell to turn Britton's low free into the net from 10 yards out on 24 minutes. Rovers continued to press and Kelly had to move smartly to turn Morrisroe's volley over the bar six minutes later.

Rovers midfield had an iron grip on the game and UCD were rather fortunate to go in at halftime trailing by just the one goal. The home side started the second half brightly. John Martin's closerang shot was deflected out for a corner following good work by Darren O'Brien and Ciaran Kavanagh.

But just a minute later the game was effectively over as a contest. Morrisroe's cross from the left deceived the defence and found Derek Treacy in acres of space. Treacy calmly scooped the ball over the advancing Kelly and Rovers first points of the season were secure. Rovers always looked dangerous on the break: substitute Marc Kenny was on hand to slam the ball into the left-hand corner a minute from time.