Shamrock Rovers came from behind to earn a one-all draw away to Sligo Rovers in their opening game of the Airtricity Premier Division on Saturday night.

An impressive attendance of 3,000 thronged The Showgrounds for the tie and were treated to a very entertaining clash.

Eoin Doyle edged the home side into the lead on 22 minutes, when he got on the end of Richie Ryan’s deep cross from the right to head past Alan Mannus.

Mannus had earlier denied Doyle with a fingertip save from a free-kick, after Gary McCabe had been fouled at the edge of the area.

Shamrock Rovers played five players across midfield and enjoyed plenty of first half possession, but the closest they came to scoring was through a Sean O’Connor strike that Sligo keeper Richard Brush dealt with.

Sligo nearly doubled their lead at the start of the second half, when McCabe fed Ryan, whose superb shot was tipped onto the crossbar by the excellent Mannus.

And, boosted by this, the Hoops got level on 65 minutes, after referee Anthony Buttimer spotted a handball in the Sligo area following a James Chambers free-kick.

Chambers converted from the spot-kick himself to ensure that both sides went home with a point.

Sligo Rovers: Richard Brush; Paul Whelan, Gavin Peers, Alan Keane, Iarfhlaith Davoren; Gary McCabe (Dean Marshall 88), Danny Ventre (captain), Richie Ryan (Conor O’Grady 71), Eoin Doyle; Matthew Blinkhorn, Padraig Amond (Mark Doninger 71).

Subs not used: Ciaran Kelly, Mauro Almeida.

Shamrock Rovers: Alan Mannus; Pat Flynn, Dan Murray (captain), Aidan Price, Danny Murphy; Stephen Bradley (Dessie Baker 57 (Paddy Kavanagh 66)), Stephen Rice, James Chambers; Sean O’Connor, Billy Dennehy, Graham Barrett (Ollie Cahill 83).

Subs not used: Robert Hughes, Enda Stevens.

Referee: Anthony Buttimer (Cork).