Rovers lose out to Dundalk in Oriel
Sean Murray struck a 32nd-minute goal at Oriel Park last night to give Dundalk a 1-0 win over Shamrock Rovers in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division.
Coming into this contest with a game less played than nearest rivals St Patrick’s Athletic, Rovers were aiming to extend their lead at the summit of the top-flight table to 12 points.
However – for the second time in 2021 – the Lilywhites had the measure of the Hoops on home soil.
While any defeat at this grade is keenly felt by Stephen Bradley and his troops, Rovers remain on course to retain their Premier Division crown.
Sligo Rovers will make the journey to Tallaght Stadium next Friday and this presents the title holders with another ideal opportunity to edge a step closer to the top prize.
Managed by Tallaght native Vinny Perth – himself a former Rovers player – Dundalk were eager to ease their relegation fears by claiming all three points on offer.
Palmerstown’s Andy Boyle was captaining the side and ace marksman Patrick Hoban was leading the line up front.
There was a settled look to the Rovers starting line-up with Danny Mandroiu and Dylan Watts offering support to Kilnamanagh man Aaron Greene in attack.
Recent recruit Barry Cotter and team captain Ronan Finn were deployed in wing-back roles, while former Dundalk defenders Sean Gannon and Sean Hoare took their places in the back-three.
Although both teams threatened in the final-third, it was the hosts who made the breakthrough just past the half-hour mark.
Running onto a delicate Hoban pass, Murray lashed home beyond the reach of Alan Mannus from close-range.
Another ex-Lilywhite star – Richie Towell – went close on a couple of occasions in the aftermath of this deadlock-breaker, but Dundalk ultimately brought a 1-0 cushion into the interval.
In a bid to address his team’s deficit, Bradley gradually introduced a host of faces off the bench.
Neil Farrugia, Rory Gaffney and Aidomo Emakhu entered the fray as the Hoops looked to avoid a fifth league reversal in 2021.
A Gaffney volley off a Towell ball almost led to late drama in the Co. Louth venue – something that has been a trademark of their season – but Rovers came up short in the end.
