Soccer

Dundalk move closer to title with victory over Shamrock Rovers

Ronan Finn and Sean Gannon goals put reigning champions eight points clear

Dundalk’s Daryl Horgan, Ronan Finn and Brian Gartland tackle Danny North of Shamrock Rovers at Oriel Park. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho
Dundalk’s Daryl Horgan, Ronan Finn and Brian Gartland tackle Danny North of Shamrock Rovers at Oriel Park. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho
Tue Sept 01 2015 - 22:24

Dundalk 2 Shamrock Rovers 0

Dundalk took a huge step towards the title as two Shamrock Rovers old boys came back to haunt them at Oriel Park.

Despite coming into the game 12 points adrift of Dundalk, Pat Fenlon's men still harboured hopes of mounting a late title charge but goals from Ronan Finn and Sean Gannon – title winners with the Tallaght club back in 2011 – were enough to give the reigning champions a hugely important victory.

With just seven games to play, Stephen Kenny’s men are eight points clear of second-placed Cork City and are firmly on course to retain the Premier Division crown for the first time in the club’s history.

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Dundalk bossed the opening period and they deservedly pulled ahead in the 16th minute with a move started and finished by Finn.

The former Rovers star dispossessed Gary McCabe in the midfield, played the ball forward to David McMillan and then collected the return, letting the ball roll across his body before lashing a fine right-footed drive past Murphy from 18 yards.

Rovers were denied an equaliser with their first meaningful effort on goal in the 28th minute when Gary Rogers produced a wonderful save to deny Brandon Miele’s equally impressive half volley.

Rovers continued to apply pressure after the interval but Dundalk doubled their lead in the 68th minute. Substitute Darren Meenan found David McMillan and he slipped Sean Gannon through on the right, the full back’s clinical finish proving just as good as his surging run and sending Oriel Park into overdrive.

Fenlon opted against using substitute Damien Duff and Rovers showed few signs of getting back into the game.

The choice of song by the PA announcer at full-time, Queen's Another One Bites The Dust, was quite apt.

DUNDALK: Rogers, Gannon, Gartland, Boyle, Massey, Towell, O'Donnell, Mountney (Meenan 66), Finn (Shields 62), Horgan, McMillan (Kilduff 74).

SHAMROCK ROVERS: Murphy, Madden, Webster, Kenna, Byrne, G Brennan, McCabe (Cregg 75), Blanchard (R Brennan 85), Miele (McCaffrey 75), North, Drennan.

Referee: Paul McLaughlin.

Attendance: 3,956.