Shelbourne 3 - Glentoran 0: Perhaps drained from Saturday's game with Cliftonville on a heavy Solitude pitch, Glentoran, a team already midway though their season, were brutally exposed by a slick Shelbourne side with only a handful of pre-season games played. The gulf in class was extraordinary as Shelbourne flashed an ominous warning for the season ahead.
The home side, eager to make an impressive start to the competition after the disappointment of their final defeat last season, were quickly into stride and probed impressively.
New signing Liam Kearney was particularly lively on the wing and gave defender Sean Ward a torrid time. The former Irish under-21 was also well supported by full back Ollie Cahill, whose turn of pace was used to good effect on the overlap. Indeed, from one such break, Shelbourne won a free which Kearney teased into the box only for Colin Hawkins to blaze over from eight yards.
Glentoran were afforded little time on the ball but still they showed a creative touch when given room to work. Former Shamrock Rovers midfielder Willo McDonagh was more often than not the catalyst behind their more eye-catching attacks but both Hawkins and new addition Sean Dillon provided a stable platform at the back.
Given their dominance, it was no surprise then that Shelbourne scored first. Bobby Ryan, who was as influential down the right as Kearney on the left, collected a short pass from Owen Heary 20 yards out. With few options ahead of him, the winger curled a delightful shot high into Elliott Morris's net with 29 minutes played.
Eight minutes later, the hosts doubled their advantage. Striker Glen Crowe seized a loose ball inside the centre circle and, after spotting Morris marooned off his line, chipped the goalkeeper from 40 yards.
Crowe bagged his second and Shelbourne's third on the hour when getting just enough on Ryan's cross, which Gary O'Neill helped along, to put the result beyond doubt.
SHELBOURNE: Delaney; Heary, Dillon, Hawkins, Cahill; Ryan, Crawford, O'Halloran, Kearney; Crowe, O'Neill. Subs: Harris for O'Neill (68 mins), Baker for Ryan (73 mins), S Byrne for O'Halloran (89 mins).
GLENTORAN: Morris; Ward, Simpson, Nixon, Walker; McCann, Lockhart, McDonagh, Holmes; Morgan, Halliday. Subs: Melaugh for McCann (66 mins), Browne for Walker (84 mins), McGibbon for Simpson (85 mins).
Referee: Ian Stokes (Dublin)
