SMART GREENE BLAZER

Marker down as Aaron man kicks Hoops into gear

- MARK McCADDEN

SUDDENLY, Shamrock Rovers are just a point off the top.

For much of the first round of fixtures, their position in a wickedly tight Premier Division table was distorted by a rained-off game against last night's opponents But with that fixture now out of the way, and with the first quarter of the season now behind us, we've got a clearer picture of how things stand.

Aaron Greene, Josh Honohan, Roberto Lopes and Jack Byrne were on the scoresheet last night, while Darragh Crowley pulled a consolation goal back in injury-time.

For Rovers, a fifth win in six games has moved them to within striking distance of leaders Drogheda United.

Next Friday's opponents, St Patrick's Athletic, meanwhile, are only ahead of them on goal-difference.

Cork were without injured star strikers Sean Maguire and Ruairi Keating, and it showed, as they were largely toothless in the final third.