Shamrock Rovers old boys Finn and Gannon on target as Dundalk edge closer to title

Dundalk 2-0 Shamrock Rovers

DUNDALK RE-ESTABLISHED AN eight-point lead at the top of the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division with a 2-0 victory over Shamrock Rovers tonight.

4,000 fans showed up at Oriel Park as the current champions entertained the third-placed Hoops. The teams had played out a 2-2 draw when they met at Tallaght Stadium back in April, with David McMillan, Ronan Finn and Mikey Drennan on target that night.

All three started here and it was former Rovers midfielder Finn who opened the scoring. on 15 minutes. Richie Towell won possession in midfield and Finn beat Murphy after being fed by McMillan.

Captains Conor Kenna and Stephen O'Donnell lead the teams out. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

The Lilywhites doubled their advantage on 68 minutes through another ex-Hoops player when full-back Sean Gannon drove into the box and drilled a strike into the bottom corner for his first league goal of the season.

Luke Byrne prevented a third with a well-timed tackle on Ciaran Kilduff late on and Dundalk move a step closer to retaining their title with seven games remaining. They play Sligo Rovers at home on Saturday evening, while Rovers face Dublin rivals Bohemians earlier that day.

DUNDALK: Rogers, Gannon, Gartland, Boyle, Massey, O’Donnell (c), Horgan, Mountney (Meehan 66′), Towell, Finn (Shields 62′),  McMillan (Kilduff 74′).

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

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