League Report: Dundalk 0 - 4 Shamrock Rovers

Shamrock Rovers picked up their first three point haul of the campaign as they overcame ten man Dundalk at a sodden Oriel Park. Goals from Rory Gaffney, Lee Grace, Johnny Kenny and Graham Burke coupled with a first half red card for Robbie Benson saw Stephen Bradley’s outfit run out convincing winners.

Having started with a pair of strikers against Drogheda United over a fortnight ago, Stephen O’Donnell’s side welcomed the league champions without either in their matchday squad- John Martin the sole recognised striker and he started up front, supported by Rayhaan Tulloch and Robbie Benson who made his first league start of the season- against a side he found the net a dozen times in his career  previously. 

For Shamrock Rovers, Lee Grace came in to skipper the side at the expense of Roberto Lopes who had returned from international duty with Cape Verde during the week. Sean Kavanagh slotting into a left hand side role at the expense of Trevor Clarke the only other change to their opening eleven.

On loan Celtic forward Johnny Kenny had the brightest chances for the away side in the opening quarter as he was narrowly denied by the offside flag following an incisive Sean Kavanagh pass- very similar to the type of pass which yielded a Shamrock Rovers goal at the same venue a few seasons ago. 

However, it was his strike partner who opened the scoring in the  twenty second minute, the experienced Rory Gaffney’s powerful back post header gave Nathan Shepperd no chance as he converted Dan Cleary’s cross from the right hand corner of the penalty area.

However, Dundalk came roaring back into the game and some clever passing between Malley and Benson set John Martin free in the penalty area but his driven effort flew over the bar with the home crowd rising in anticipation of a netbuster which didn’t arrive.

Their voices were raised again in protest against Robbie Benson’s red card just past the half hour- a robust tackle on Lee Grace with his studs raised meant a dismissal, a second in consecutive weeks for the Lilywhites following Hayden Muller's Leinster Senior Cup red card last week against Shelbourne.

Things went from bad to worse within ten minutes as Lee Grace, showing no ill effects of his earlier collision, converted a Jack Byrne corner which Dundalk had failed to clear. For their part, by this stage of proceedings the Lilywhites had three corners of their own which they had failed to get a connection on. 

The first half ended without Alan Mannus having the ball in his hands and a couple of back passes and kickouts his only involvements, something which needed to change drastically in the second period if the home side were to deny Shamrock Rovers their first league victory of 2023.

Within thirteen seconds of the second half starting, Mannus was stretched as he dived to pluck a Tulloch cutback off the  sodden Oriel Park astro as the rain poured heavily throughout. Mindful of the hazardous nature of this weather, former fan favourite at Oriel Park Richie Towell skidded a long range effort which Shepperd shovelled around the post. The Welsh stopper had to be equally sharp a few moments later to deny the ever lively Johnny Kenny.

Moments later, the Sligoman got the goal his performance deserved as he headed Towell’s right wing cross in his last act of the evening before being replaced by Aaron Greene in a triple substitution by Stephen Bradley. It was one of the replacements who extended the lead with Graham Burke thumping Sean Kavanagh’s low centre into the roof of the net to extend the Hoops’ lead.

By the 80th minute both sides had used up their quota of five substitutes in a sign of how one sided the game had become- Dundalk conceding four goals and a red card for the second consecutive week looking to get minutes into returning players and resting those who they could ahead of Sligo’s visit to the Carrick Road next week. Shamrock Rovers travel to Bohemians in fine fettle- even Alan Mannus getting in on the action towards the end as his stunning double save cameo denied Keith Ward and then Daniel Kelly their respective first goals of the campaign.

A wet night in Louth may have dampened the spirits of the locals as the Lilywhites crashed to their second league defeat of the season while Shamrock Rovers head back to Dublin to prepare for their Good Friday clash with Bohemians on the back of an impressive victory.

Dundalk: Nathan Shepperd; Andy Boyle, Archie Davies, Darragh Leahy (Robbie McCourt 79), Wasiri Williams; Robbie Benson, Alfie Lewis (Johannes Yli-Kokko 68), Connor Malley (Keith Ward 75), Greg Sloggett, Rayhaan Tulloch (Ryan O'Kane 68); John Martin (Daniel Kelly 75).

Subs not used:Peter Cherrie, Mark Byrne, Hayden Muller, Anthony Moyo.

Booked:Wasiri Williams (17).

Sent off:Robbie Benson (31).

Shamrock Rovers: Alan Mannus; Daniel Cleary, Lee Grace, Sean Hoare; Jack Byrne (Markus Poom 59), Neil Farrugia (Darragh Nugent 74), Sean Kavanagh (Dylan Watts 79), Gary O'Neill, Richie Towell; Rory Gaffney (Graham Burke 74), Johnny Kenny (Aaron Greene 74).

Subs not used:Leon Pohls, Pico, Sean Gannon, Ronan Finn.

Booked:Jack Byrne (10), Dylan Watts (82).

Referee: Arnold Hunter

Attendance: 3761

extratime.com Player of the Match: Johnny Kenny