Dylan Watts scored a last ditch penalty to clinch the game for Shamrock Rovers to give them victory over Dundalk. The home side got off to the worst possible start as a foul by Sean Gannon in the opening seconds of the tie saw a free kick whipped in
Dylan Watts scored a last ditch penalty to clinch the game for Shamrock Rovers to give them victory over Dundalk.
The home side got off to the worst possible start as a foul by Sean Gannon in the opening seconds of the tie saw a free kick whipped in by former courted player of Dundalk and now of Shamrock Rovers Dylan Watts. His curler was met by Roberto Lopes who cooly headed it past Rogers to stun Oriel Park, into a deep silence.
The following periods of the game did little to please the home faithful as Dundalk failed to get a grip in the game, they laboured but Rovers hunted in packs and ensured Dundalk did not get time on the ball.
As the half wore on, Dundalk showed their grit and determination to edge back into the game. The best of the chances fell to their top marksman Patrick Hoban.
From a free kick the ball was played down into his direction his over head head kick was well placed but Alan Mannus was equal to it after it took a deflection from Dane Massey.
The second half saw Dundalk get off to the perfect start as they broke down a hard working Shamrock Rovers defence. Michael Duffy cut inside from the left and his shot took a wicked deflection off Lee Grace and it looped over Mannus.
Dundalk continued to press as the bombarded Shamrock Rovers with waves of attack but none of real clinical chance. The best of the chances fell to Robbie Benson who headed wide when it looked as if he was a dead cert to score. Watts had a fantastic curling free kick saved by Gary Rogers but he was to make up for it in the dying seconds of the game.
Dundalk were to rue those missed chances and pay the penalty. Sean Hoare was adjudged to have taken down Finn and Watts cooly slotted the penalty past Rogers to send the points back to Tallaght and to end Dundalk’s winning streak. The action wasn’t over as Sean Hoare on the full time whistle was given a straight red card.
