Shamrock Rovers ... 4 Cork City ... 1Shamrock Rovers began their new life at Richmond Park in the best possible fashion with a 4-1 victory over Cork City last night.

A stunning first half display which yielded three goals did the trick as they caught an out of sorts Cork side cold, with Noel Hunt and Trevor Molloy (twice) finding the target before substitute Stephen Grant put the icing on the cake when he headed home their fourth five minutes from time.

Although Cork improved a little after the resumption all they had to show for their efforts was a 62nd minute Colin Patrick O'Brien strike as they suffered yet another away defeat, while Rovers' win now makes them unbeaten in their last seven league outings which has seen them win six of them. Ironicially their last loss was to Cork in September at Turner's Cross.

Although he lasted just 30 minutes before he was forced off through injury, Hunt's contribution was immense as he scored one and set up another.

Hunt had Rovers on their way after just five minutes of play before setting up the second after 13 minutes and wasn't even on the field of play by the time number three arrived in the 40th minute.

With his confidence high Hunt reacted first to a Stephen Gough free kick from deep inside his own half to squeeze his shot past Michael Devine after five minutes.

Then on 13 minutes Rovers doubled their lead. Cork centre half Declan Daly failed to control a long kick out from Tony O'Dowd and Hunt was first to react to the loose ball.

He could easily have scored himself, but did the unselfish thing picking out the unmarked Molloy who put the ball into an empty net from six yards. Cork were lucky not to be 3-0 down after 20 minutes when only a last ditch headed clearance from Dan Murray prevented Hunt scoring.

The third arrived after 40 minutes. Cork had been on the attack but from inside their own penalty area, Rovers broke with speed and ripped through the Cork ranks before James Keddy fed Molloy, who shot past Devine for his second goal.

Despite O'Brien giving Cork some hope with his 62nd minute effort, Rovers had the last say as Grant added the fourth in the 85th minute.

SHAMROCK ROVERS: O'Dowd, Gough, Deans, Colwell, Palmer, Scully, Robinson, Molloy, Hunt, Dimech, Keddy. Subs: S Grant for Hunt (30), Fitzpatrick for Molloy (90).

CORK CITY: Devine, Carey, Horgan, Daly, Murray, Bennett, O'Halloran, Woods, O'Flynn, O'Callaghan, Warren. Subs: Colin P O'Brien for Daly (27), Colin T O'Brien for O'Callaghan (77).

Referee: John McDermott (Dublin).