It may not have been plain sailing, but Cork City opened the defence of their eircom League title with three points at Turner's Cross tonight.

George O'Callaghan's first-half penalty was enough to secure the win against Dublin City but Damien Richardson will have been less than enthused with the performance, his players unable to exert any sustained pressure on the Premier League newcomers.

Elsewhere, runners-up Derry City were more convincing, goals from Ciaran Martyn and Stephen O'Flynn earning a 2-0 win over UCD at the Brandywell.

A Jason Byrne double, the second from the spot, rescued a point for Shelbourne at Bray Wanderers (2-2) while St Patrick's Athletic will rue a missed Trevor Molloy penalty as they were held scoreless by Waterford United.

FAI Cup holders Drogheda United, of whom much is expected in the league this season, laid down a marker with a 1-0 win at Dalymount Park, Paul Keegan's goal earning a 1-0 win over Bohemians.