Dundalk vs Shamrock Rovers

Injuries and mixed form have made it a difficult start to the season for Stephen Bradley's side, with just five points from their first six games.

St Patrick's Athletic v UCD, Richmond Park, 7.45. Shelbourne v Derry City Tolka Park, RTÉ Two, 7.45. Dundalk v Shamrock Rovers, 7.45.

The reigning league champions came into the game without a win in their opening six matches.

To their credit, the home side rallied at the start of the second half without ever really threatening but moments after being denied by Shepperd from an acute angle Kenny added the crucial third goal to kill the game on 71 minutes with a close range header from Towell’s cross. They key moment of the game came on 31 minutes when Benson was dismissed for a high challenge on Grace in front of the Rovers bench. The reigning league champions came into the game without a win in their opening six matches - five draws and one defeat - but were already a goal ahead through Rory Gaffney when the home side were reduced to 10 men on 31 minutes with Robbie Benson given the first red card of his professional career by referee Arnold Hunter.

Shamrock Rovers got their first win of the season with a 4-0 victory over 10-man Dundalk at Oriel Park.

To their credit, the home side rallied at the start of the second half but it was Rovers who always looked dangerous on the break with Gaffney having a header blocked by Andy Boyle before Towell saw an effort squirm just wide on 63 minutes as Shepperd struggled to save his 25 yard strike in the slippery conditions. Rovers had further chances to add to their lead before the intervak with Gaffney firing just wide on the break with Shepperd well out of his goal. The Hoops then took the lead on 22 minutes with former Lilywhite Daniel Cleary floating a superb cross to the back post over the head of Archie Davies for Gaffney to race onto and head across Nathan Shepperd to the bottom right hand corner.

Chris Forrester topped and tailed victory with a brace as St Patrick's Athletic got back to winning ways.

Then Daniel Krezic was fouled and a free from Aaron Bolger found Keating at the back post. It was a fixture that felt like a six pointer, with both teams eager to make up for defeats before the international break. Doyle (Lonergan, 61). And with the rain continuing to drizzle down, the home side dominated from the off against a team they beat in all four meetings last season. To their credit, the home side rallied at the start of the second half without ever really threatening but Kenny added the crucial third goal to kill the game on 71 minutes with a close range header from Towell’s cross. They key moment of the game came on 31 minutes when Benson was dismissed for a high challenge on Grace in front of the Rovers bench.

Fans of horse racing know that Fridays at Dundalk can be confusing and this was a night where course and distance form went out the window as Shamrock ...

Yet it will frustrate O’Donnell that the second goal came from a corner with Grace in the right place after Gaffney overpowered Martin. His side were already a goal behind at that point, with the Hoops breakthrough goal a reflection of how they were switched on. Prior to this trip, their only victory there in the last four-and-a-half years came when Dundalk fielded a second-string side while distracted by European engagements in a chaotic 2020.

Shamrock Rovers picked up their first win of the season in impressive fashion, while Drogheda gained a deserved point on Leeside.

The second-half was a largely forgettable affair, with neither side able to break the deadlock. Dundalk suffered their first Oriel Park league defeat of the year last night as Shamrock Rovers scored four to earn The Hoops their first win of the 2023 season at the seventh attempt. Shamrock Rovers picked up their first win of the season in impressive fashion, while Drogheda gained a deserved point on Leeside.