The Cats stamped their authority on the match with five goals to none in the second quarter to give coach Dallas Gallagher the perfect start at his new club.

Boom recruit Brendan Sessions made his debut in style with six goals, despite some wayward goalkicking, while Marty Brennan dominated his wing and Ian Kay was prolific as usual at ground level.

Gallagher said it was a strong first-up performance.

“It’s always good to get that first one out of the way because you never really know how you are going,” Gallagher said.

“We had a bit of an indifferent pre-season so it was good to come out and start as well as we did.

“It was a pretty good start to the season.

“We fell away a bit towards the end, but it was pretty hot and I had forgotten how big the ground is.

“The boys did well.”

Rutherglen looks to be one of several teams capable of climbing into the top five after narrowly missing out last season and the early form of recruits Sessions, David Pinney, Seamus Bromley and Zach Gallagher has only heightened expectations.

The Saints fell down badly in attack with five individual goalkickers an early worry.

Pat Vallance was solid on debut with support from Nick O’Brien and Jay Berry.

Gallagher said the Cats had put an emphasis on early wins.

“The competition looks very tight so it’s good to get this one out of the way,” he said.

“We got through OK with injuries and it’s something to build on.”