AIRTRICITY LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION Dundalk 1 Shamrock Rovers 2:SHAMROCK ROVERS went back to the top of the Premier Division thanks to Saturday's 2-1 win over Dundalk at Oriel Park in front of a crowd of 1,700.
Playing the first of three games in the space of six days, Michael O’Neill shuffled his pack, handing starts to Rohan Ricketts and Jim Paterson who were signed during the week. There was also a debut for former Sligo Rovers goalkeeper Richard Brush.
With Rovers still fighting on three fronts, O’Neill will be delighted with the impact of the new faces.
Brush was called into action after nine minutes. Ross Gaynor outmuscled Pat Sullivan on the left before hammering a half volley at goal which the Rovers goalkeeper did well to parry.
Ricketts was also involved in the early stages, threading a good pass through to Karl Sheppard in the 14th minute. The big striker scored from a similar position in the corresponding fixture earlier in the season but this time his effort whistled over the bar.
Dundalk had a gilt-edged chance four minutes later. Gaynor’s low delivery across the face of goal looked set to be tapped home by Jason Byrne but Rovers skipper Dan Murray somehow took the ball off his toes.
Dundalk supporters protested when Mark Quigley went down under pressure in the penalty area, although referee Richie Winter looked to be correct with his decision to wave play on.
At half-time O’Neill introduced Billy Dennehy for Gary McCabe in a bid to provide more width in Rovers’ attacking play.
Ricketts was moved to the right flank and almost set up Twigg in the 50th minute, but Nathan Murphy was resolute.
Dundalk’s form improved, Keith Ward hitting a wonderful dipping volley from 35 yards that just flew past the post. Brush then had to show safe hands to gather another neat effort from the winger.
Rovers went in front before the hour. Ricketts ran at Nathan Murphy before driving a ball across the six-yard box and Dennehy was on hand to slide home from a difficult angle.
The second arrived in the 73rd minute. Ricketts hooked a great ball into Ciarán Kilduff’s path and after the substitute was pushed in the back by Carl McHugh, O’Donnell made no mistake from the penalty spot.
DUNDALK: Cherrie; Madden, Hawkins, McHugh, N Murphy; Ward, Bolger, Bennett (Breen 80), Gaynor; Byrne (Griffin 63), Quigley.
SHAMROCK ROVERS: Brush; Sullivan, Sives, Murray, Paterson; McCabe (Dennehy half-time), Rice (Turner 83), O'Donnell; Ricketts; Sheppard, Twigg (Kilduff 71).
Referee: Richie Winter(Dublin).
