League Report: Dundalk 0 - 1 Shamrock Rovers

By Niall Newberry in Oriel Park

Shamrock Rovers recorded their first league win at Oriel Park in six years after deservedly defeating a lacklustre Dundalk 1-0 on Sunday evening.

The Lilywhites made five changes from the side that bravely exited the Champions League in heart-breaking fashion on Wednesday night with Paddy Barrett, Stephen O’Donnell, Jamie McGrath and Sean Hoare all coming in, while Dylan Connolly made his full debut for the club.

Rovers made just one enforced change from the side that went out of the Europa League at the second qualifying round stage on Thursday night as Ryan Connolly replaced former Dundalk favourite Ronan Finn, who missed out on a return to Oriel Park through suspension.

Dundalk almost made the perfect start to proceedings after just 30 seconds when the explosive Dylan Connolly, a recent €40,000 acquisition from Bray Wanderers, went close to a dream start to his full home debut for his new club after racing through, only to be denied by Tomer Chencinski in the Rovers goal.

However, it was the Hoops who took the lead after just five minutes when Ryan Connolly’s neat through ball found Gary Shaw, who turned Brian Gartland on the edge of the box before firing past Gary Rogers to score his sixth league goal of the season and put Rovers in front.

Brandon Miele almost doubled the visitor’s advantage when he capitalised on a misplaced pass from Barrett and found himself in acres of space before firing just wide of the post in what was a real let off for Stephen Kenny’s side, who thereafter fashioned a half-chance through Michael Duffy.

Dundalk came close to levelling matters after a nice back-heel from Dylan Connolly found David McMillan in the box but he thrashed his effort wide before O’Donnell rolled a free-kick to Connolly and he crossed for Barrett at the far post only for the defender to shoot wide.

Rovers looked in control throughout the second half and Rogers was on hand to save well from David Webster’s header before tipping Miele’s speculative effort from long-range over the bar.

The hosts lacked creativity throughout and struggled to create any real chances with their best opening of the second period coming four minutes from time through Hoare’s cross which just evaded the inrushing O’Donnell before substitute Thomas Stewart fired over.

Robbie Benson saw his penalty appeals waved away by referee Rob Rogers in stoppage time as Rovers hung on to claim their first league win at Oriel Park in six years and move up to third in SSE Airtricity League, while defeat surely ends any glimmer of hope for Dundalk in the context of the league title.

Dundalk: Gary Rogers; Sean Hoare, Brian Gartland, Paddy Barrett, Dane Massey; Dylan Connolly (John Mountney 75), Stephen O’Donnell, Robbie Benson, Michael Duffy (Ciaran Kilduff 77); Jamie McGrath (Thomas Stewart 60), David McMillan.

Subs not used: Gabriel Sava, Niclas Vemmelund, Conor Clifford, Steven Kinsella.

Booked: Dylan Connolly (58).

Shamrock Rovers: Tomer Chencinski; Simon Madden, Roberto Lopes, David Webster, Luke Byrne; Trevor Clarke (Sam Bone 86), David McAllister, Ryan Connolly, Brandon Miele; Graham Burke (Sean Boyd 89), Gary Shaw (Michael O’Connor 90).

Subs not used: Kevin Horgan, Aaron Bolger, James Doona, Dean Dillon.

Booked: Graham Burke (37), Trevor Clarke (77), Sam Bone (90).

Referee: Rob Rogers.

Attendance: 3,000 (estimate).

ExtraTime.ie Player of the Match: David Webster (Shamrock Rovers).