As if relishing the prospect, Shamrock Rovers duly set up a mouthwatering top-of-the-table clash with Bohemians in Dalymount Park on Friday night with this emphatic win over a Monaghan United side that simply could not defend.

For a side that has yet to score on its return to the top flight, Monaghan initially showed no inferiority complex going forward and should have been in front after just three minutes.

Mick Scully's ball forward picked out Darren McKenna whose flick header put strike-partner Ken Lundy through. But, stretching, Lundy toepoked past Tony O'Dowd and wide.

The let-off woke up Rovers and they were in front two minutes later from their first attacking free-kick.

Tommy Dunne's ball was headed back across goal by Marc Kenny to find the unmarked Seβn Francis who duly side-footed home from 12 yards for his third goal of the season.

Kenny's quickly taken free-kick on 17 minutes on the right caught them napping at the back and central defender Terry Palmer was up almost on the goal line to tap home.

Monaghan's inability to defend set-pieces cost them another goal on 38 minutes. Kenny whipped over a corner to the far post and Tony Grant scored his easiest goal of the season.

And, on 52 minutes, Billy Woods's left-foot volley found the right-hand corner of the net.

SHAMROCK ROVERS: O'Dowd; Costello, Scully, Palmer, Dunne; Tracey, Kenny, Colwell, Woods; A. Grant, Francis. Subs: S. Grant for Francis (69 mins), Deans for Colwell 74 mins.), Robinson for Kenny (83 mins.).

MONAGHAN UNITED: Forde; White, Places, Scully, O'Callaghan; McGrath, Rogers, Shiels, Mooney; Lundy, McKenna. Subs: Carroll, Vaughan and Murphy for Place, Lundy and Rogers (all 61 mins.).

Referee: A O'Regan (Cork).