Dundalk 1 - 2 Shamrock Rovers

Shamrock Rovers returned to league action with a win over Dundalk at Oriel Park on Saturday evening which sent them back to the top of the Premier Division table.

A goal from half-time substitute Billy Dennehy and a penalty from Stephen O’Donnell secured the points despite a late scare when Mark Quigley pulled one back for the home side in added time.

The first chance of the game went to the home side on eight minutes. Ross Gaynor managed to battle his way into the box and, despite being under heavy pressure from Craig Sives, he fired in a stinging shot. Richard Brush in goal could only parry but his defenders were on hand to clear it out for a corner.

Colin Hawkins rose highest to head that corner goalwards but couldn’t hit the target. The Lilywhites had a multitude of corners in the first half, wasting many of them with Richard Brush in the Hoops goal easily claiming the ball on more than one occasion.

Rovers seemed just as likely to score and debutant Rohan Ricketts in particular was quite lively. He put Karl Sheppard in on goal out on the right but the ex-Galway striker smashed it well over from an awkward angle. Ricketts had an opportunity of his own later on when his volley at the back post was deflected out for a corner.

Other than a few wild efforts that flew well wide of the target from Mark Quigley and Jason Byrne, Dundalk had very few chances. The away side looked dangerous down the flanks with a cascade of crosses coming from everywhere but none of them caused Peter Cherrie any worries. Pat Sullivan on the right at one stage drilled in cross after cross but to no avail

Billy Dennehy was introduced by Michael O’Neill at half-time in place of Gary McCabe and the substitution proved the key to a Rovers victory. The winger was very lively upon his arrival and was rewarded for his hunger on 58 minutes when he was given a simple tap-in to open the scoring. Ricketts strode down the right side of the area, going past the Dundalk defenders, and crossed for the substitute to score at the back post.

Ian Foster was livid that the goal stood after Colin Hawkins was down with a head injury caused from a heavy challenge by Gary Twigg in the air. But while Dundalk were disheartened by the goal they still had opportunities themselves. Carl McHugh found himself in a great position when fellow defender Nathan Murphy sent in a tremendous cross but McHugh got under the ball and headed well over.

Dennehy could have had a second goal when he dinked the ball up and over the goalkeeper after being put through on goal by another clever pass by Ricketts. However, an acrobatic clearance ensured he couldn’t finish it off.

It was another substitute who earned Rovers a penalty on 74 minutes and a chance to score a second. Ciaran Kilduff took the place of Twigg and he was brought down in the area within minute of entering the fray. It was Ricketts once again who chipped it through for Kilduff who in turn was bundled over recklessly by McHugh. The hero from Belgrade, Stephen O’Donnell, stepped forward to stroke the ball down the centre of the goal as Peter Cherrie dove to his left.

At this stage, Dundalk looked dead and buried while Michael O’Neill’s men were happy to see out the remaining 15 minutes. However, Richard Brush’s hope of ending his league debut in goal for the Hoops with a clean sheet was ruined in added time. In the 92nd minute, Ross Gaynor whipped in a dangerous free kick from the right which Quigley nodded on into the corner of the net.

The Lilywhites threw everyone forward in the final minutes but it was too little too late and it was Shamrock Rovers who claimed the three points to regain top spot in the Premier League.

Dundalk: Peter Cherrie (GK); Simon Madden, Colin Hawkins, Nathan Murphy, Carl McHugh; Keith Ward, Dean Bennett (Johnny Breen, 80), Greg Bolger, Ross Gaynor; Jason Byrne (Mark Griffin, 62), Mark Quigley.
Subs not used: Craig Hanlon (GK), Philip Duffy, Cian Byrne, Chris Reilly.
Bookings: Hawkins (91).

Shamrock Rovers: Richard Brush (GK); Jim Paterson, Dan Murray, Craig Sives, Pat Sullivan; Rohan Ricketts, Stephen O’Donnell, Stephen Rice (Chris Turner, 83), Gary McCabe (Billy Dennehy, 46); Gary Twigg (Ciaran Kilduff, 71), Karl Sheppard.
Subs not used: Craig Hyland (GK), Gary O’Neill, Karl Moore, Pat Flynn.
Bookings: Rice (16), Sullivan (40).

Referee: Richie Winter.

Attendance: 1,700
extratime.ie Man of the Match: Rohan Ricketts, the midfielder looked very tidy on his debut, playing some lovely passes for his new teammates.