The harsh reality of life in the Premier Division was hammered home in no uncertain terms to Drogheda United last night as Shamrock Rovers left United Park with a comfortable opening night victory.
Most of the damage was done in an 11-minute spell in the second half as Rovers scored three times - two from Shane Jackson and one from Sean Francis.
Drogheda were reduced to 10 men five minutes from the end when midfielder Darren O'Keeffe was sent off. Terry Palmer added Rovers' fourth.
DROGHEDA: G Byrne, A Murphy, Maher, Impey, M Byrne, O'Keeffe, Butler, C Murphy, Revins, O'Dowd, Coleman. Sub: McCann for Coleman.
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SHAMROCK ROVERS: O'Dowd, Britton, Dunne, Jackson, Palmer, Colwell, Treacy, Cousins, Francis, Woods, Robinson.
Referee: P McKeown
