A moment of misfortune for Peter Cherrie cost Dundalk dearly as they were defeated 3-1 by reigning champions Shamrock Rovers at Tallaght Stadium on Friday night.
With Dundalk dominant, out-passing Rovers and creating three clear goal-scoring opportunities, the game turned on 23 minutes when Cherrie came out of his penalty area to clear. Unfortunately for the Scottish ‘keeper, his clearance was blocked by Gary O’Neill and he was then adjudged by referee Alan Kelly to have denied the new Rovers striker a clear goalscoring opportunity by taking him down. Cherrie, for the first time in his Dundalk career, was shown a red card.
By this point in the game, Dundalk were much the better side. Dean Bennett and Greg Bolger were dominating the midfield, with Daniel Kearns and Ross Gaynor probing with intent on the flanks. Having threatened through a number of set-pieces earlier in the match, Dundalk went very close to making it 1-0 after 16 minutes. Jason Byrne produced a sensational diagonal ball from deep within his own half to set Kearns away on the right. Kearns cut inside and attempted a shot that was deflected into the path of Bennett who played the ball through to in-rushing captain Simon Madden whose powerful shot was superbly saved by Alan Mannus.
Within sixty seconds, Dundalk went within inches once more. Madden’s cross from the right was flicked on by Mark Quigley for Gaynor to send a powerful looping header just past the post with Mannus at full stretch. Rovers then had their first opportunity when Gary McCabe’s effort at a cross almost found the top corner. In the 20th minute, Dundalk again came close to taking the lead. Madden’s cross was deftly flicked on by the superb Byrne into the path of Quigley who was unfortunately unable to find the target with his header from eight-yards.
Cherrie was to see red shortly afterwards. Ian Foster was forced into sacrificing Quigley in order to bring on Paul Murphy. Immediately, Murphy was called into action when he collected Billy Dennehy’s free-kick. Despite Rovers dominating possession for the rest of the half, Dundalk remained industrious and dangerous on the break. On 44 minutes, Dundalk were finally afforded a slice of luck when Byrne dispossessed Dan Murray just inside the Rovers area and the Hoops captain tripped him as Byrne sought to carve out an opening. There was no doubt about the penalty, and Byrne sent Mannus the wrong way from the penalty spot to give Dundalk a deserved lead.
However, the lead was only to last 60 seconds. Enda Stevens’ cross from the left was knocked down by O’Neill for McCabe to score with a great strike that went through a crowd of players before going in off the post. Rovers took the lead on 49 minutes. Stevens sent a long ball into the box that Colin Hawkins attempted to head back to his ‘keeper but Gary Twigg was able to reach the ball first to head past Murphy. Dundalk were forced into a re-adjustment when Eoghan Osborne limped off to be replaced by Michael Hector. The on-loan Reading player was moved to right-back with Madden moved to the left-back position. Rovers were to move further ahead after 53 minutes when O’Neill played a great ball through for Twigg to score with a magnificent finish past the advancing Murphy.
For the remainder of the match, Dundalk were forced to dig deep to ensure that the scoreline didn’t get worse. Murphy was called upon to make a great one-handed save from Twigg when the Scot seemed set to complete his hat-trick. Madden then perhaps demonstrated one reason why Foster has awarded him the captaincy when he made two superb goal-line clearances. Both clearances denied Twigg, with the second clearance being quite remarkable and coming at some cost to Madden who hurt himself in the process. An unfortunate start to the season but the potential of this team was there for all to see. Dundalk’s attacking and stylish approach to the game should make the 2011 season hugely entertaining. Let’s just hope our luck changes!
SHAMROCK ROVERS FC: Alan Mannus, Pat Sullivan, Dan Murray, Ken Oman, Enda Stevens, Gary McCabe, Ronan Finn, Chris Turner (Stephen Rice 78), Billy Dennehy (Paddy Kavanagh 71), Gary Twigg, Gary O’Neill (Dean Kelly 83).
Goals: G McCabe (45), G Twigg (50, 56).
Unused Subs: Ryan Thompson (GK), Pat Flynn, Conor McCormack, Colm Corcoran.
DUNDALK FC: Peter Cherrie, Simon Madden ©, Colin Hawkins, Shane Guthrie, Eoghan Osborne (Michael Hector 50), Daniel Kearns, Dean Bennett, Greg Bolger (Stephen Maher 81), Keith Ward, Jason Byrne, Mark Quigley (Paul Murphy 24).
Goal: J Byrne (44 pen).
Unused Subs: Nathan Murphy, Ross Gaynor, Mark Griffin, Johnny Breen.
Referee: Alan Kelly (Cork).
Attendance: 5,263.
