Drogheda United 0 Shamrock Rovers 1:  Drogheda United's defence of their eircom Premier League title got began with defeat at the hands of Shamrock Rovers at United Park.

Paul Doolin's side can have no complaints after being outplayed by the young Dublin side whose third minute goal proved enough to secure a valuable away win at the season's first hurdle.

New signing Alan Murphy got his Rovers career off to a flyer with the winning strike after a knock down by Darragh Maguire after Ger O'Brien's free-kick.

The former Galway United player controlled it neatly on the edge of the box before smashing a right-footed shot into the top corner.

Rovers stroked the ball around confidently for much of the first half and could have been two ahead had Maguire's header not rebounded off the crossbar.

The homeside took their time to get into the game but exerted some pressure at the end of the half and were denied an equaliser when Paul Keegan latched on to Richie Baker's free-kick and cannoned a header off the bar.

The champions improved in the second half but failed to create any clear cut chances and resorted to long balls to new Senegalese signing Ibrahima.

Shane Robinson had a chance to nick a point at the death after a neat lay-off from Eamonn Zayed but his shot was well parried by Barry Murphy in the Rovers net.