DUNDALK FC 1-0 SHAMROCK ROVERS

John Mountney’s 91st-minute winner lifted the roof off Oriel Park as Dundalk gave their SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division survival bid a huge shot in the arm with a 1-0 victory over reigning champions Shamrock Rovers on Friday night.

The game had been delayed by half-an-hour after travel issues for the Rovers kitman and some of their players, but when play eventually got underway, bottom-of-the-table and depleted Dundalk matched the title-chasing Hoops every step of the way.

There were few chances throughout the game. Dundalk ‘keeper Ross Munro was only called into action once, past the quarter-hour mark, saving from Johnny Kenny, while the hosts’ two best efforts came from Paul Doyle.

Dundalk goalkeeper Ross Munro after the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division match between Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers at Oriel Park in Dundalk, Louth. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Rovers chased a late winner but Dundalk’s defence was once again rock solid, this being their sixth straight clean-sheet at home, and that gave them the platform to bag a precious three points as Mountney popped up with a captain’s goal in injury-time to create scenes not witnessed for a long time on the Carrick Road.

Dundalk manager for the night Liam Burns – who had Dave Mackey in the dugout with him – made three changes to the team that were beaten in Waterford seven days earlier, with Scott High, Dara Keane, Robbie Mahon and Ciaran McGuckin all continuing on the sidelines, along with the suspended George Shelvey.

Mountney and Doyle were recalled to the starting lineup along with Mayowa Animasahun as Burns decided on playing a back three. The trio came in for Hayden Muller, who was on the bench, the suspended Robbie Benson and Koen Oostenbrink, who is the latest name on the injury list.

Dundalk first team coach Liam Burns, centre, speaks to his players during the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division match between Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers at Oriel Park in Dundalk, Louth. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Dundalk, under their former skipper, started positively and got plenty of players forward in attack in the opening exchanges, without testing Hoops stopper Leon Pohls. Rovers threatened for the first time on 17 minutes but Munro’s save, in truth, was comfortable as he held Kenny’s shot.

On 22 minutes, Rovers were awarded a free-kick just outside the box but, from a central position, Jack Byrne lifted it over the bar. At the other end, past the half-hour, Doyle let fly from distance and Pohls watched as it flashed wide of the target, in what proved to be a quiet first half.

Six minutes after the restart, Daryl Horgan dragged a shot wide after Cami Elliott had done well to keep the move going. Shortly after, Dundalk put more pressure on the visiting goal, with Rovers clearing the initial cross before Doyle set himself and drove narrowly wide from the right angle of the box.

John Mountney of Dundalk celebrates after scoring his side’s first goal during the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division match between Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers at Oriel Park in Dundalk, Louth. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Midway through the second half, Dundalk brought on Sam Durrant, while at the same time, Rovers introduced Graham Burke and Neil Farrugia. Muller followed soon after for the home side and would ultimately play a key role in the winner.

For much of the final ten minutes, Rovers were camped in the Dundalk half, with the home crowd largely hoping to hold firm for a point. However, the Lilywhites on the pitch had other ideas and after Muller’s cross was missed by Durrant’s attempted overhead kick, the ball fell to the edge of the area for Mountney who planted it in the bottom corner with the sweetest of hits.

The result will give everyone involved with the club a massive lift after the most eventful of weeks, and coupled with Drogheda United’s late collapse at home to Galway United, it was a night where Dundalk closed to within three points of ninth.

Dundalk supporters celebrate after the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division match between Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers at Oriel Park in Dundalk, Louth. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

DUNDALK FC: Ross Munro, Zak Johnson, Andy Boyle, Mayowa Animasahun, Archie Davies, Zak Bradshaw, Paul Doyle (Hayden Muller 75), John Mountney, Daryl Horgan, Cami Elliott (Sam Durrant 67), Jamie Gullan. Subs not used: Seán Molloy (GK), Jamie Walker, Louie Annesley, Ryan O’Kane, Luke Mulligan, Eoin Kenny, Seán Keogh.

SHAMROCK ROVERS: Leon Pohls, Daniel Cleary, Roberto Lopes, Josh Honohan, Darragh Nugent, Seán Kavanagh (Aaron McEneff 74), Conan Noonan (Neil Farrugia 67), Trevor Clarke, Jack Byrne, Aaron Greene, Johnny Kenny (Graham Burke 66). Subs not used: Lee Steacy (GK), Tom Leitis (GK), Cian Barrett, John O’Sullivan, Cory O’Sullivan, Matthew Britton.

REFEREE: Alan Patchell.

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