Shamrock Rovers 2
Dundalk 1
Ryan Bailey reports from Tallaght Stadium
DUNDALK HAVE ENJOYED many great nights at this ground in recent seasons, both in domestic and European competition, but those memorable occasions are now becoming an increasingly distant memory.
A fifth league defeat of the season leaves Stephen Kenny’s men 15 points adrift of leaders Cork City and, on this evidence, their grip on the League of Ireland title has now slipped beyond retrieval.
It was almost inevitable that Ronan Finn, the former Dundalk midfielder, would play a key role against his erstwhile employers and so it proved as his clever first-half finish set Shamrock Rovers on their way.
The Hoops’ stranglehold on the contest was tightened before the break as David McAllister headed home from a set-piece, with Dundalk never threatening to mount a comeback until the dying embers when Niclas Vemmelund’s header looped over Tomer Chencinski.
As disappointing as the champions were, Rovers deserve huge credit for a performance and result Stephen Bradley will hope ignites their faltering season.
With both sides entering this game, the first of the second series of fixtures, in must-win territory, there was always going to be a bite to proceedings but the hosts were able to channel their aggression into a purposeful performance.
Finn was outstanding in the middle of the park and it was somewhat ironic that he was ultimately the difference between the sides, with the gaping hole he left in Dundalk’s engine room very evident tonight.
To be fair, the visitors weren’t helped by the loss of Stephen O’Donnell shortly after the half hour mark but Dundalk were sloppy in possession throughout and looked vulnerable at the back every time the twin threat of Trevor Clarke and Graham Burke ran at them.
Kenny introduced Ciaran Kilduff with 20 minutes remaining but it changed little as Dundalk were left frustrated on a night their hopes of a fourth consecutive league crown were severely dented.
Rovers came out of the blocks quickly and looked to stamp their authority on the contest with a couple of forceful challenges, two of which resulted in bookings for Gary Shaw and Clarke.
But the home side settled thereafter and very nearly hit the front after 10 minutes only for McAllister’s sweet half-volley from 30 yards to hit the side netting with Gary Rogers beaten.
It lifted the natives and Finn popped up not long after to finish off a fine move involving Burke and Simon Madden on the right. After collecting the cutback, the 29-year-old caressed it into Rogers’ far corner with the outside of his right boot.
Burke was a thorn in the side of Sean Hoare and Paddy Barrett all night and came close to doubling his side’s advantage after good work from Shaw only for his header to be blocked.
Eight minutes before the interval, Rovers had their second as McAllister was left unmarked and his downward header was too powerful for Rogers to deal with.
With their tails up, Shaw combined with Burke again after Conor Clifford’s loose pass had left Dundalk exposed. With only the ‘keeper to beat, Burke looked like rifling home Rovers’ third but Dane Massey got back to make a last-ditch intervention.
Shaw’s acrobatic effort was the highlight of an otherwise uneventful second half but, in the end, the two-goal cushion was enough for Bradley’s charges as they saw the game out to collect all three points.
As the minutes ticked down, the home fans on the far side sang ‘cheerio, four in a row’ in the direction of the travelling section and you’d have to agree.
SHAMROCK ROVERS: 1. Tomer Chencinski; 17. Simon Madden, 6. Roberto Lopes, 4. David Webster (29. Sam Bone 89), 3. Luke Byrne; 18. Darren Meenan, 16. David McAllister, 8. Ronan Finn, 20. Trevor Clarke; 28. Graham Burke (10. Brandon Miele 80), 14. Gary Shaw (19. Sean Boyd 80).
DUNDALK: 1. Gary Rogers; 19. Niclas Vemmelund, 4. Paddy Barrett, 15. Sean Hoare, 14. Dane Massey; 8. John Mountney, 21. Conor Clifford (16. Ciaran Kilduff 70), 6. Stephen O’Donnell (captain) (Chris Shields 32), 11. Patrick McEleney, 7. Michael Duffy; 9. David McMillan (26. Thomas Stewart 80).
Referee: Rob Rodgers.
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