Dundalk 1 Shamrock Rvrs 1:DUNDALK and Shamrock Rovers played out a pulsating 1-1 draw at Oriel Park in a wonderful advert for the Airtricity League Premier Division last night.
The home side, under the stewardship of caretaker manager Darius Kierans following the dismissal of Seán McCaffrey on Thursday, took the lead in the 19th minute when Gary Shanahan stabbed home from close range.
Rovers hit back through substitute Daryl Kavanagh in the 63rd minute and chances fell to either side to win the game in the final stages but a point apiece was a fair outcome.
Rovers arrived at the Louth venue eight points behind league leaders Sligo Rovers and the champions were clearly rattled by Dundalk’s fast tempo and they struggled to get any sort of fluency into their play.
Indeed Rovers were left to breath another huge sigh of relief in the 80th minute following a blistering move from back to front. Griffin sent Nathan Murphy scampering clear on the left. His cross was deflected goalwards by the outstretched leg of Pat Sullivan but Oscar Jansson was on hand to make a last gasp save to ensure both sides finished with a point apiece.
DUNDALK: Cherrie, McLaughlin, Foran, Burns (Waters, 67 mins), Murphy, Walsh, Mountney, Shields, McDonnell (Reilly, 90 mins), G Shanahan, Griffin.
SHAMROCK ROVERS: Jansson, Sullivan, Sives, Oman, Powell, McCabe (Kavanagh, 56 mins), Rice, Finn, Brennan, Dennehy, Twigg.
Referee: T Connolly (Dublin).
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