Substitute Richie Hale scored twice as Kilkenny City got their promotion challenge off to a winning start with a 2-0 defeat of Limerick yesterday.

Hale scored with his first kick after coming on in the 74th minute, shooting home from 18 yards after Paul Cashin dummied Kevin Kelly's cross to set him up.

A mistake by Limerick goalkeeper, Eddie Hickey, undoing his good work of saving a penalty in the ninth minute, gifted Hale his second goal a minute from time.

At Gortakeegan, Monaghan United came from a goal down to beat St Francis 3-1.

Monaghan reshuffled and gradually got into the game in the second half, equalising through Colm Notaro after good work by Joe Hanrahan in the 57th minute.

Seven minutes later, Paul Brady headed home a Karl Wilson free-kick and Wilson sealed the win four minutes from the end.

Galway United comfortably saw off Home Farm/Everton at Whitehall on Saturday night.

Home Farm, whose resources were stretched further following Barry Ferguson's departure to Coventry City on a four-year contract on Friday, fielded one of the youngest teams to play in the National League - the average age was 19-years-old.

Barbadians Eric Levine and Ryan Lucas scored the two goals within the opening half-hour.

Athlone Town came from a goal down at home to beat surprise League Cup quarter-finalists Longford Town 3-1.

Cobh Ramblers put three League Cup defeats behind them with an opening 2-0 league win over Drogheda United at St Colman's Park.