Shamrock Rovers got their Champions League campaign off to a flying start with a comprehensive 5-1 win over Floriana FC. The Irish side responded quickly after conceding an equaliser, taking control with three goals before half-time and adding two more in the second half.
Lee Grace opened the scoring in the seventh minute, heading in Jack Byrne's corner. Floriana hit back six minutes later, Tomislav Gudelj finishing from Mustapha Jah's pass. But Shamrock Rovers regained the lead through Dylan Watts in the 29th minute, and John McGovern made it 3-1 just after the interval. Graham Burke added a fourth in the 61st minute, and Jack Byrne rounded off the scoring with a fine solo effort in the 73rd minute.
Dylan Watts was at the heart of everything good for the home side, scoring once and setting up goals for McGovern and Byrne. The win was built on a ruthless attacking display, with six different goal involvements from the Rovers midfield and forward line.
