SHAMROCK ROVERS MANAGER Stephen Bradley praised referee Rob Harvey after the Hoops ended Dundalk’s run of 13 consecutive Premier Division wins last night.
Dylan Watts scored from the penalty spot in the 90th minute at Oriel Park to secure a 2-1 win for Bradley’s side, with Dundalk defender Sean Hoare shown a red card for his protests moments later.
Harvey awarded the penalty to Rovers for a foul on Ronan Finn by Sean Gannon, but there were contrasting views on the decision from both sides.
“I haven’t watched it back yet but my initial view was that it certainly wasn’t a penalty,” said Dundalk goalkeeper Gary Rogers. “I think it was actually a goal-kick, but the penalty was given, that’s the bottom line and we have to deal with that. It’s a disappointing way to lose the game.”
Rogers added: “We certainly had two or three penalty claims that were more debatable than that one. It’ll be interesting to see them back. It has cost us a point and hopefully that’s not costly at the end of the day.”
It was a big win for Rovers, who rebounded from their derby defeat to Bohemians and FAI Cup elimination at the hands of Drogheda United by boosting their hopes of securing European football for 2019.
Waterford remain in third place, which will be rewarded with a guaranteed Europa League spot at the end of the season. However, the Tallaght side now trail the Blues by just a point with seven games remaining.
Roberto Lopes gave Rovers the lead last night with less than two minutes played. Michael Duffy’s 54th-minute effort deflected in off Lopes to bring Dundalk level, before Watts grabbed the winner in a dramatic finale.
“It’s a good win obviously,” said Hoops boss Stephen Bradley. “You don’t usually get penos in the last minute in places like this, but I’ve seen the peno back and it’s a stonewall penalty. It was a good decision by the referee, a brave decision and the right decision.”
Rovers’ next assignment is a clash with Bray Wanderers on Friday night at the Carlisle Grounds. At the same time, Dundalk — who still hold a three-point lead over Cork City in the title race — will be at the Markets Field to face Limerick.
Bradley added: “This was a big game, with us aiming for third and [Dundalk] looking to win the league. But we just needed to get back to what we’ve been good at before our two previous results, because we were excellent in Europe and in the league. That’s what we need to get back to. Once we do that we’re more than a game for anyone. We showed that tonight.”
Dundalk’s Gary Rogers said: “When you come off a game like that where you’ve had a defeat, the closer the next game comes, the better. We can’t be sulking and feeling sorry for ourselves. We have to bounce back, go to Limerick and try to pick up the three points.
“If we drop three points down there, it would be even more of a disappointment. We’re always disappointed to lose a game but if you lose two games in a week, you won’t be happy.”
– Additional reporting by Caoimhín Reilly
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
