Eircom National League 0 Irish League 2

Two National League old boys returned to haunt their former colleagues as the Irish League beat their southern counterparts at Terryland Park yesterday.

Ex-Shamrock Rovers striker Vinny Arkins and former Shelbourne winger Mark Rutherford grabbed the goals that gave the northern boys their win - and both looked like "welcome back" presents !

First a Steve Williams blunder gifted Arkins with his chance in the 30th minute. Then a whole series of defensive errors led to Rutherford adding the second on 63 minutes.

Shels 'keeper Williams could have caught Willie Murphy's speculative free kick but instead chose to punch. The ball rebounded of Peter Hutton and dropped at the feet of Arkins who promptly rolled it into an empty net.

Hutton was again the unwitting provider for Rutherford. Jon Minnock's clearance cannoned into Hutton towards Owen Heary, who hesitated, allowing Rutherford to connect with an athletic volley that took a further deflection off Eamon Doherty before beating Williams.

The first goal came against the run of play - but on the balance of play in the second half, the Irish League fully merited their win.

Eircom League: Steve Williams (Shelbourne), Owen Heary (Shelbourne), Peter Hutton (Derry), Clive Delaney (UCD), Darren Kelly (Derry), Jonathon Minnock (Finn Harps), Richie Baker (Shelbourne), Colin Tresson (Bray Wanderers), Eamonn Doherty (Derry), James Keddy (Shelbourne), Richie Foran (Shelbourne), Eric Lavine (Galway United)

Subs: Ciaran Kavanagh (UCD) for Tresson 52, Jason Byrne (Bray) for Foran 59, Brian Byrne (Shamrock Rovers) for Keddy 62, Pat Morley (Cork) for Lavine 69

Manager: Dermot Keely (Shelbourne)

Irish League: Mathers (Linfield), Devine (Coleraine), Walker (Glentoran), W Murphy (Linfield), Nixon (Glentoran), McCallion (Cliftonville), Gorman (Linfield), McAllister (Coleraine), D Murphy (Glenavon), Ferguson (Linfield), Arkins (Portadown)

Subs: Gough (Glentoran) for Mathers 45, Rutherford  (Newry) for W Murphy 54, McBride (Glentoran) for McAllister 59, Casey (Newry Town) for Gorman 62, Morgan (Linfield) for Ferguson 71

Goals: Arkins 30, Rutherford 63

Manager: David Jeffrey

Referee: A Snoddy (N Ireland)