Dundalk 1
Shamrock Rovers 2
Caoimhín Reilly reports from Oriel Park
DYLAN WATTS CHOSE Shamrock Rovers over Dundalk in the recent transfer window and his slippage from Stephen Kenny’s grasp became all the more significant at Oriel Park tonight.
The 21-year-old’s 90th-minute penalty conversion, after Seán Gannon fouled Ronan Finn, earned Rovers an incredible victory, bringing to an end the Lilywhites’ 13-match league winning streak while providing a boost to his team’s chances of a third-place finish.
And to compound matters, Dundalk defender Seán Hoare was red-carded by match referee Robert Harvey after the full-time whistle for his protests. The whistler left the field at the end of both halves to a chorus of boos from the home congregation.
Rovers entered the match knowing a win would close them to within a point of Waterford in the final automatic European place and, equally as intent on ending a poor recent run of results, they took the lead inside two minutes when Watts’ teasing free-kick from the left was nodded to the net by Roberto Lopes.
Indeed, Stephen Bradley’s men utterly dominated the opening quarter-hour without creating many further clear-cut openings.
In need of some inspiration, Dundalk midfielder Robbie Benson went on a mazy run towards the end of the opening quarter and that seemed to spark the Lilywhites to life as from there to the break, the tide altered.
Dane Massey’s reactions were twice fractionally late as the ball, which regularly simmered in and around Alan Mannus’ goal, bounced off his shins with the target at his mercy.
The referee drew the ire of the hosts for some of his first half decision-making as some tetchiness crept into play, mostly involving Dundalk’s midfielders and Greg Bolger of Rovers.
The Hoops’ lead lasted only nine minutes of the second half, however, as Michael Duffy’s drive flicked off Lopes’ outstretched leg and over the despairing Mannus. The place had lift-off with the hosts sensing another famous win.
They chased a winner, going close through Ronan Murray amidst a glut of scrambles.
But at the death, a spot-kick was awarded and Watts converted as Dundalk missed a chance to go six points clear at the division’s summit.
Dundalk FC: Gary Rogers; Seán Gannon, Brian Gartland, Seán Hoare, Dane Massey; Chris Shields, Robbie Benson (John Mountney 90); Jamie McGrath (Ronan Murray 77), Patrick McEleney (Dylan Connolly 56), Michael Duffy; Patrick Hoban
Shamrock Rovers: Alan Mannus; Ethan Boyle, Roberto Lopes, Lee Grace, Seán Kavanagh; Dylan Watts, Greg Bolger; Joel Coustain (Brandon Kavanagh 80), Ronan Finn, Brandon Miele (Aaron Greene 71); Dan Carr (Gary Shaw 80)
Referee: Robert Harvey (Dublin)
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