Substitute Aaron Greene rescued a share of the spoils for Shamrock Rovers at Tallaght Stadium after Dundalk threatened to put a dent in their five in-a-row bid at the first hurdle.
Stephen O'Donnell’s side, starting with five debutants from their 11 close-season signings, came into this fixture priced at 11/1 to win but they threatened to upset the odds when Jamie Gullan crashed a stunning free-kick past Leon Pohls in the 33rd minute.
Stephen Bradley’s side were lucky not to go two down when Ryan O’Kane hit the inside of the post with a header on 57 minutes and that was to prove a crucial moment as Greene popped up with an equaliser two minutes later for what was his eighth career goal against the Lilywhites.
While a draw was not the start the champions would have wanted as they aim to clinch a fifth league title on the bounce, it is the same result as they had on the opening day of last season when they drew 1-1 with Sligo Rovers.
For the visitors, after a winter of change on and off the field with new owner Brian Ainscough watching on, this was an encouraging start and something they can build on ahead of their first home league match against Galway United next week.
Rovers, who waited until matchday six to claim a first victory last season, will be aiming to make it second time lucky away to Shelbourne.
A superb debut goal from a free-kick by striker Jamie Gullan has Dundalk 1-0 up at reigning champions Shamrock Rovers #LOI
rte.ie
