Irish Premier League: Shamrock Rovers prevail over Dundalk 1-0
Shamrock Rovers relished a victory at Tallaght Stadium, thanks to Johnny Kenny’s impressive scoring spree. The champion team’s return to home grounds after 40 days resulted in a much-needed win – their third in the last 10 matches, setting a positive tone for their upcoming Champions League qualifying round against Vikingur Reykjavik in Iceland. Furthermore, it reignites the Rovers’ hope of retaining the championship title, particularly on a day where frontrunners Shelbourne and Derry City squandered points.
Coupled with the loss, Dundalk now sits dangerously just two points ahead of last-placed Drogheda United, reinforcing the significance of their upcoming derby encounter at Oriel Park.
Stephen Bradley, Rovers’ manager, underscored the urgent need for all future matches to yield victories as his team chases the championship title, introducing four new faces to the starting roster in the latest match, including playmakers Aaron McEneff and Jack Byrne – their first joint outing this season. McEneff narrowly missed converting the first opportunity of the match within five minutes, sending a header wide following a cross from Darragh Nugent that was set up by Byrne and Dylan Watts.
Dundalk, who fielded new acquisitions defender Bobby Faulkner and winger Jad Hakiki, had their inaugural shot at goal just past the 20-minute mark but failed to capitalise on a defensive lapse. A careless pass from Shamrock Rovers’ captain Roberto Lopes resulted in the ball being stolen by Hakiki, but a blocked Eoin Kenny shot salvaged the situation for the home side.
Nevertheless, the Rovers found their stride despite initial unease, clinching the lead with a stunning goal by Kenny at the 29-minute mark. Initially blocked by Sean Keogh, Kenny managed to rebound with his fourth goal in six matches – and his tenth of the year – from a well-placed assist from Watts. These victories are crucial for Shamrock Rover’s title aspirations.
The Celtic player who had been loaned might have added to his score just three minutes later. A strikingly effective through ball from the notably skilled Watts set Kenny straight on a scoring path. However, Munro held firm and delivered a decisive foot save.
Rovers continued to dominate the game into the second half, yet an hour passed before Munro was challenged again.
A rush of activity from Watts and Nugent manoeuvring the ball through to Kenny resulted in a hasty shot, easily handled by Dundalk’s keeper. Nugent was then given room to send a distant shot, rather awkwardly diverted around a post by Munro.
The final moments of the match found Rovers in a tense state as they conceded three significant opportunities in the closing 10 minutes. A careless pass from Richie Towell offered the ball to Cameron Elliott. Elliott seized the opportunity and outmaneuvered Watts, putting Leon Pohls to the test for the first time that night.
Ryan O’Kane had an opportunity a minute later that could have been capitalised on better, but ended up slicing wide. Pohls then exhibited the top save of the night, diverting Elliott’s dive head round a post following Keogh’s assist.
Even though they ended in a 1-1 stalemate with Drogheda United and two of their defenders, Paddy Barrett and Tyreke Wilson, were dismissed, Shelbourne managed to increase their lead at the table’s summit to three points. This came about because Derry City, who are second, suffered a 2-1 defeat by Sligo Rovers.
Ben McCormack, previously associated with St Patrick’s Athletic, scored Waterford’s lone goal leading to a 1-0 victory over the Dubliners at the RSC. This allowed Keith Long’s team to hold onto their third place in the table.
Galway United turned the tables from a trailing position to secure a 1-1 tie with Bohemians at Eamonn Deacy Park.
The teams were made up as follows: Shamrock Rovers: Pohls; Hoare (Cleary, 57), Lopes, Honohan; Nugent, O’Neill (Burns, 72), Watts, McEneff (Poom, 57), Clarke; Byrne (Greene, 64); Kenny (Towell, 72). Dundalk: Munro; Davies, Johnson, Faulkner, Keogh; Mountney (Garbett, 81), Doyle; Horgan, Benson (McGill, 66), Hakiki (O’Kane, 66); Kenny (Elliott, 57).
The game was officiated by Marc Lynch from Galway and the arena held a crowd of 5,317 spectators. In other football news, a draw occurred between Drogheda United and Shelbourne at 1-1 whilst Waterford claimed victory over St Patrick’s Athletic with 1-0. Sligo Rovers edged out Derry City at 2-1 and a stalemate ensued between Galway United and Bohemians, ending in a 1-1 tie.