Shamrock Rovers 3 Monaghan United 0

Shamrock Rovers kicked off their Eircom League Cup win an easy 3-0 win against First Division Monaghan United at Tolka Park last night.

Summer signing Tony Grant scored two of their goals in the first 30 minutes to kill the tie as a competition. His first came in the 19th minute when he latched onto a through ball from Brian Byrne to expertly drill the ball into the bottom of the net from 10 yards.

Eight minutes later it was 2-0 when Grant hit a low shot from 20 yards out which rifled into the left-hand corner.

Just as Monaghan were thinking about their half time orange Rovers made it 3-0. Billy Woods combined with Byrne before volleying home from the six-yard line.

Shamrock Rovers: Horgan, Smith, Cronin, Palmer, Dunne, Vaudequin, Colwell, Tracey, Woods, Grant, Byrne

Subs: Deans for Dunne (60), Kenny for Colwell (76)

Goals: Grant 19, 27, Woods 45

Monaghan United: Hannon, Scully, Carroll, Nicholls, Gill; Meier, Browne, Grendon, Smyth, Lundy, Cummins

Subs: Shiels, White and Dempsey for Grendon, Browne and Nicholls (all 45)

Referee: Pat Whelan (Dublin)