Dundalk edged out by Shamrock Rovers in five-goal Tallaght thriller

Dundalk FC were beaten 3-2 by Shamrock Rovers in an entertaining SSE Airtricity League Premier Division encounter at Tallaght Stadium.

Rovers needed just three minutes to take the lead, with Michael Noonan brought down inside the area by Enda Minogue. Dylan Watts sent the Dundalk goalkeeper the wrong way from the penalty spot to put the home side ahead.

Dundalk looked for an immediate response and went close six minutes in when Daryl Horgan slipped Cian Dillon through, only for Rovers goalkeeper Ed McGinty to gather at his feet.

The visitors were level on 15 minutes after Max Kovalevskis conceded a needless corner. Horgan delivered from the left and McGinty spilled the ball, allowing Rob Cornwall to finish from close range.

Dundalk almost turned the game around moments later when some poor play by Cory O’Sullivan presented Ronan Teahan with an opportunity, but McGinty stuck out a boot to deny him before Dillon hooked the rebound over.

Rovers restored their advantage on 19 minutes. Watts delivered into the box and Noonan rose at the far post to head home, another goal Dundalk will have felt they could have prevented.

Again the Lilywhites responded. Horgan escaped two Rovers challenges in the middle of the pitch before sending a low right-footed effort narrowly wide.

Their persistence was rewarded on 27 minutes when Dillon was bundled over by Lee Grace, who was perhaps fortunate to remain on the pitch. Horgan took responsibility from the spot and drove the penalty high into the net, beyond McGinty’s reach.

It was Horgan’s ninth goal of the season and his 18th goal involvement, more than any other player in the Premier Division this term.

The game had developed into an end-to-end contest. Watts struck the side-netting for Rovers, while Horgan curled an effort wide at the other end.

Rovers, however, restored their lead for a third time in the 38th minute. Bobby Burns cut out an innocuous ball but could only divert it into the path of Jonathan Afolabi, who finished despite the best efforts of Mayowa Animasahun.

John O’Sullivan tested Minogue twice from distance early in the second half, with the first effort going straight at the goalkeeper and the second flying well over.

O’Sullivan went close again at the end of an attack which saw Minogue produce an excellent save to deny substitute Maleace Asamoah, who had been set up by Matt Healy.

Trevor Clarke, facing his former club, then slipped as he fired wide before forcing another fine stop from McGinty. Clarke met a Burns cross which had been flicked on by Declan McDaid, but the Rovers goalkeeper reacted sharply to keep out his effort.

At the other end, Minogue had to be equally alert, saving well at his near post after Asamoah had beaten Keith Buckley. The Dundalk goalkeeper was then untroubled by a Grace header as the game moved into its closing stages.

Grace was involved again moments later, this time coming to Rovers’ rescue after Aaron Greene’s poor header back towards his own goal was pounced upon by Dundalk substitute Leo Gaxha. The defender blocked Gaxha’s attempt.

Asamoah had another chance to settle the contest for Rovers, but Minogue again stood firm.

Dundalk’s final opportunities came late. Gaxha’s effort from outside the area was pushed around the post by McGinty, while Harry Groome volleyed wide deep into stoppage time.

The defeat means Dundalk have now gone six Premier Division matches without a win.

Shamrock Rovers: Ed McGinty; Tunmise Sobowale, Lee Grace, Cory O’Sullivan (Adam Matthews HT); Max Kovalevskis (Maleace Asamoah HT), John O’Sullivan, Matt Healy (Cian Barrett 59), Dylan Watts (Jack Byrne HT), Luke O’Regan; Michael Noonan, Jonathan Afolabi (Aaron Greene 59)

Subs not used: Alex Noonan (gk), Jake Mulraney, Will Fitzgerald, Ben Mahon

Dundalk FC: Enda Minogue; Mayowa Animasahun (Declan McDaid 48), Rob Cornwall, Tom Grivosti; Trevor Clarke (Aaron Keogh 85), Aodh Dervin, Keith Buckley, Bobby Burns; Ronan Teahan (Harry Groome 48), Cian Dillon (Leo Gaxha 62), Daryl Horgan

Subs not used: Peter Cherrie (gk), Sammy Safaei (gk), Luke Mulligan, Sean Spaight, Shay Casey

Referee: Robert Harvey (Dublin)

Attendance: 5,102