Shamrock Rovers picked up the first win of their Europa Conference League season with a dominant win away to NIFL side Larne at Windsor Park in Belfast.
Stephen Bradley's men were a cut above their Irish rivals as they claimed bragging rights for the League of Ireland with a 4-1 win.
The victory puts them on an impressive tally of four points from just three games, following on from their dramatic draw with APOEL last time out.
Graham Burke was the star of the show in a strong start for the visitors, which saw them lead 3-0 going into the interval.
Josh Honohan gave Rovers the lead after just two minutes before striker Johnny Kenny added their second after he prodded home Burke's shot at the back-post and an own-goal effectively put them out of sight.
Johnny Kenny adds a second! ☘️@ShamrockRovers are 2-0 up in Belfast as the striker heads in from close range 🔥 pic.twitter.com/F0lkIgJAWr
— Premier Sports Ireland (@PremSportsIRL) October 24, 2024
Larne pulled one back before Burke got a well-deserved goal, finishing with conviction into the bottom left corner of the net.
Larne programme error claimed Stephen Kenny related to Shamrock Rovers star
St Patrick's Athletic boss Stephen Kenny was likely keeping an eye on the encounter with his side trailing Rovers by just two points in what has been a dramatic League of Ireland title race.
The former Ireland boss had little else incentive to keep an eye on the fixture - although the Larne FC's pre-match programme would have led you to believe otherwise.
As highlighted by Alan Kinsella on Twitter, the opening line of the player profile of Rovers' goalscorer Johnny Kenny bizarrely linked the attacker by blood to the decorated Irish soccer manager.
The son of former Ireland and current St Patrick's Athletic manager Stephen Kenny is in his second consecutive season on-loan at Tallaght from Celtic."
Larne think Stephen Kenny is the father of Johnny Kenny!!! pic.twitter.com/ar2HtAsJPR
— Alan Kinsella (@electionlit) October 24, 2024
We do have some sympathy for whoever wrote the pre-match programme.
Stephen Kenny's son, Eoin Kenny, is a striker who has been playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division.
However, he has togged out for Dundalk, not Shamrock Rovers, as he continues to find his feet at the age of just 18.
Still, the gaffe is sure to raise an eyebrow from Johnny Kenny who bagged the second of Rovers four goals in what was a dominant win.
