Shamrock Rovers aiming to open account with victory against title rivals Shelbourne

Champions Shamrock Rovers will hope to get their title defence up and running at the second attempt on Friday night when they make the short trip to Tolka Park for a Dublin derby against Shelbourne. The pick of the night’s games is subject to a morning pitch inspection. The Hoops were due to host newly-promoted Dundalk on the opening night of the season a week ago, but the Tallaght Stadium surface was waterlogged and Stephen Bradley’s men instead played a friendly away to UCD the following day. Shelbourne had no such misfortune as they opened their Premier Division account on a heavy pitch in Waterford. But it was...