DUNDALK SHOWED NO signs that their dominance in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division is on the wane with a hard-fought victory over Shamrock Rovers at Oriel Park.
After the loss of key players Andy Boyle and Daryl Horgan to Preston North End as well as Ronan Finn’s move back to Shamrock Rovers, inevitable questions were raised about how well the three-in-a-row champions would recruit to fill those significant voids.
A season opener against the Hoops — eager to make a statement after a raft of new arrivals in the winter — was bound to test the Louth club.
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And the game lived up to the billing as pick of the night, with tempers boiling over on a couple of occasions. After a frantic first half-hour, the Lilywhites went in front. Recent arrival Michael Duffy did all the hard work and, seeing his shot initially blocked, teed up Robbie Benson to poke home.
Hoops striker Graham Burke is sent off. Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
The second half was just six minutes old when Stephen Kenny’s side doubled their advantage. McEleney stole possession and sent over a delicious cross for Ciaran Kilduff to head home.
Former Oriel Park favourite Finn had been named on the bench but was immediately in the thick of the action upon his introduction on 64 minutes. He and Stephen O’Donnell had some heated words and moments later, Finn earned a booking for his late challenge on the Dundalk captain.
The Hoops then halved the deficit with 14 minutes on the clock — striker Graham Burke capping his debut with a goal. After a nicely-worked move, the former Aston Villa youngster’s shot deflected off the boot of Paddy Barrett and looped over Gabriel Sava.
But Burke would soon be heading for an early shower as he was shown red with 79 minutes played for a bad challenge on Jamie McGrath.
Rovers came close in injury-time — Sean Boyd helping a Brandon Miele free-kick onto the bar — but the three points went the way of the home side.
Benson and Kilduff ensure Dundalk get off to winning ways against 10-man Rovers
Dundalk 2
Shamrock Rovers 1
Ben Blake reports from Oriel Park
DUNDALK SHOWED NO signs that their dominance in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division is on the wane with a hard-fought victory over Shamrock Rovers at Oriel Park.
After the loss of key players Andy Boyle and Daryl Horgan to Preston North End as well as Ronan Finn’s move back to Shamrock Rovers, inevitable questions were raised about how well the three-in-a-row champions would recruit to fill those significant voids.
A season opener against the Hoops — eager to make a statement after a raft of new arrivals in the winter — was bound to test the Louth club.
And the game lived up to the billing as pick of the night, with tempers boiling over on a couple of occasions. After a frantic first half-hour, the Lilywhites went in front. Recent arrival Michael Duffy did all the hard work and, seeing his shot initially blocked, teed up Robbie Benson to poke home.
The second half was just six minutes old when Stephen Kenny’s side doubled their advantage. McEleney stole possession and sent over a delicious cross for Ciaran Kilduff to head home.
Former Oriel Park favourite Finn had been named on the bench but was immediately in the thick of the action upon his introduction on 64 minutes. He and Stephen O’Donnell had some heated words and moments later, Finn earned a booking for his late challenge on the Dundalk captain.
The Hoops then halved the deficit with 14 minutes on the clock — striker Graham Burke capping his debut with a goal. After a nicely-worked move, the former Aston Villa youngster’s shot deflected off the boot of Paddy Barrett and looped over Gabriel Sava.
But Burke would soon be heading for an early shower as he was shown red with 79 minutes played for a bad challenge on Jamie McGrath.
Rovers came close in injury-time — Sean Boyd helping a Brandon Miele free-kick onto the bar — but the three points went the way of the home side.
DUNDALK: Sava; Gannon, Gartland, Barrett, Massey; Mountney, O’Donnell (c) (Clifford 66), Benson, Duffy (McGrath 71), McEleney (Vemmelund 85); Kilduff.
SHAMROCK ROVERS: Chencincski; Madden (c), Webster, Devine, Clarke; Lopes (Burke 69), Connolly (Finn 58), McAllister, Miele, Meenan; O’Connor (Boyd 60).
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LIVE: Dundalk v Shamrock Rovers, SSE Airtricity League Premier Division
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