Rovers 5:2 Rivervalley

SHAMROCK ROVERS began the defence of their Emerald Futsal League (Leinster) title on Monday.

EMERALD FUTSAL LEAGUE (LEINSTER): SHAMROCK ROVERS 5 RIVERVALLEY RANGERS 2

Rovers began the defence of their Emerald Futsal League (Leinster) title with a 5-2 win over Rivervalley Rangers at the National Basketball Arena on Monday (July 4th).

The young Rivervalley side are one of the fastest improving teams in Irish futsal and provided a stern test to the Hoops, winners of the league in 2009 and 2010.

Captain Ian Byrne proved an inspiration for Rovers with a brilliant hat-trick.

The Irish futsal international broke the deadlock after eight minutes when he drilled home following a Philip McDonagh corner.

Byrne then produced a brilliant individual goal when he dribbed in from the right and rounded Rangers keeper Robert Murphy before slotting home.

Rivervalley did not lie down and produced a number of excellent attacks that required some top class Rovers defending and a couple of impressive stops by keeper John Somers.

Ex-Atletico Madrid youth Jandro Riquelme made it 3-0 for Rovers two minutes before the break when he latched onto a Felipe Bartalini flick on to side-foot past the exposed Murphy.

Alvin Lawlor - son of former international Mick - produced a stunning strike to put Rovers 4-0 up early in the second half but Rivervalley responded with ten minutes left when Mark Purcell scored from close range.

Byrne ensured there would be no Rivervalley fight-back when he drilled home an angled drive with five minutes left. David Kane added a second Rangers goal with five seconds left on the clock.

"It was a decent performance and a good start to our season. We've some new players in and they've settled in well," said Rovers coach Stephen Finn.

"We have Alpha FC next Monday at the Basketball Arena (7pm) and all are welcome to come along. They beat Fifth Infantry Battalion 6-5 in their opening game."

SHAMROCK ROVERS: John Somers; Brendan Dawson, Renan Silva, Ian Byrne (C), Philip McDonagh, Jandro Riquelme, Felipe Bartalini, Stephen Haddock, Alvin Lawlor, Richard Maher, Ian Donnelly.

RIVERVALLEY RANGERS: Robert Murphy; David Kane, Adam Dent, Michal Rajski, Adam Lawlor, Shane Brady, Mark Purcell, Paul Fetherston, Mark Flynn, Adam Sheedy, Paul McCullagh, Blaine Brogan.

REFEREES: G Behan, P Thornton