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Date Time League Season
14 March 2022 7:45 pm LOI Men's Premier Division 2022

Match Report

Dundalk and Rovers play out entertaining draw

Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers played to a scoreless draw at Oriel Park in a game that had everything but a goal.

Both teams had chances to score more than one goal on the night, but a combination of being stopped on the line and a remarkable save from Nathan Sheppard to deny Aaron Greene preceded Leon Pohls' first-half denial of Patrick Hoban.

The respective outfits had chances early on, but it was the hosts who got the better of it, with Robbie Benson almost adding to his already outstanding score against the Hoops. The home side got clear of the Rovers' defence, and after Pohls spilt the ball, it dropped to Benson, who hammered his effort off the post with the goal at his mercy. Patrick Hoban was denied on the line by Pohls, who made a fingertip save after a corner was pushed into the area and received by Hoban on the back post. Richie Towell came close to bringing his former club back to life, but his effort sailed over the bar.

Richie Towell once again denied an Oriel Park goal when his shot cannoned off the crossbar in the second half, which was a tale of two defences with little or no give between the two clubs. Hoban and John Martin both had their sights set on the Rover's goal, but they were thwarted at every point. The highlight of the first half came when a cross to Aaron Greene looked to have put Rovers ahead, but Nathan Sheppard made a wonderful stop at the far post to deny him.

It appeared like a draw was in the cards, only for the contest's biggest moment, a crescendo that this game deserved, to be denied by the exact man you would have anticipated to give it. Greg Sloggett broke down the right side of the field, and his cross collided with an unmarked opponent. Patrick Hoban's shot went over the bar, taking the three points with it.

Both clubs will be disappointed with their missed chances on the night, but both teams have a lot more to offer this season.

Dundalk

1Nathan Sheppard Goalkeeper
2Lewis Macari Defender
4Andy Boyle Defender 61'
5Mark Connolly Defender
6Sam Bone Defender
8Robbie Benson Midfielder
9Patrick Hoban Forward
10Greg Sloggett Midfielder
11John Martin Forward
19Daniel Williams 29 Midfielder 39'
20Joe Adams 17 Midfielder
14Peter Cherrie Goalkeeper
3Brian Gartland Defender
17Keith Ward 20 Midfielder
21Paul Doyle Midfielder
24Mayowa Animasahun Defender
25Mark Hanratty Midfielder
28Ryan O’Kane Forward
29David McMillan 19 Forward
18Senan Mullen Midfielder

Shamrock Rovers

25Leon Pohls Goalkeeper
3Sean Hoare Defender
4Roberto Lopes Defender
5Lee Grace Defender
6Barry Cotter 20 Defender 22'
10Graham Burke 23 Forward
14Daniel Mandriou 38 Midfielder
16Gary O’Neill Midfielder
17Richie Towell Midfielder
22Andy Lyons Defender
29Jack Byrne 9 Midfielder
30Toms Leitis Goalkeeper
7Dylan Watts Midfielder
9Aaron Greene 29 Forward
11Sean Kavanagh Defender
20Rory Gaffney 6 Forward 83'
23Neil Farrugia 10 Midfielder
26Chris McCann Midfielder
38Aidomo Emakhu 14 Midfielder
  • 90'

    FULL TIME: Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers played to a scoreless draw at Oriel Park in a game that had everything but a goal. Both teams had chances to score more than one goal on the night, but a combination of being stopped on the line and a remarkable save from Nathan Sheppard to deny Aaron Greene preceded Leon Pohls' first-half denial of Patrick Hoban. Both teams will leave the stadium tonight with the impression that they could have won this game.

  • 90'

    CHANCE: You would have put your HOUSE on it! Patrick Hoban unmarked in the area following a Sloggett cross and he blazes it over the bar!

  • 90'

    Three added minutes here in Oriel Park.

  • 88'

    Aidomo Emakhu on for Mandriou

  • 86'

    David McMillan on for Dan Williams

  • 83'

    Rory Gaffney was booked.

  • 82'

    Hoare went for the spectacular with a volley on the edge of the area that went over the bar.

  • 82'

    We are coming into the final minutes of this game, both sides pressing for an opener but it looks as if the away side is more dominant.

  • 77'

    Keith Ward on for league appearance number 300 of his career. Joe Adams makes way. Farrugia and Gaffney also on for Burke and Cotter

  • 76'

    WHAT A SAVE! A cross sent into the area and Aaron Greene looks to have put Rovers ahead but Nathan Sheppard with a fantastic save to deny him at the far post.

  • 70'

    CHANCE: Hoban sets Adams free and his cross is met by Martin in the area but he couldn't get a proper connection.

  • 68'

    Aaron Greene comes on for Jack Byrne.

  • 65'

    Benson with a beautiful deft ball into the area and Hoban almost latches onto it but it just is inches away from him.

  • 61'

    Boyle fouls Burke and it's a caution for him.

  • 60'

    Burke gets a sight on goal, he sees an opening and hits an effort that is well saved by Sheppard.

  • 59'

    A series of corners for Shamrock Rovers in quick succession: Sean Hoare shot is deflected for another corner and the second is cleared on the second attempt.

  • 55'

    Joe Adams with a half-chance for Dundalk - after initially falling under the pressure of Hoare he gets back up turns on a sixpence and curls an effort that goes wide.

  • 55'

    3546 in Oriel Park tonight, an excellent amount for a Monday night.

  • 55'

    POST: Richie Towell with an excellent shot that cannons off the cross bar and away. Shamrock Rovers have completely turned this half around and are putting Dundalk under the cosh.

  • 52'

    Burke had a great chance there when he was drawn out wide but he left Sheppard flat-footed and his cross couldn't be met, if it had it was to an empty net.

  • 49'

    SAVE: Danny Mandriou was clear on goal and cut his angle tight and Nathan Sheppard does excellently to save the low effort from the Rovers striker.

  • 49'

    Mark Connolly heads free a Jack Byrne free-kick but goes down heavy under a challenge.

  • 47'

    Hoban slides in trying to latch onto a cross that is well saved by Pohls, Dundalk are up for this.

  • 47'

    CHANCE: Dan Williams with an excellent curling effort that just goes over the bar.

  • 46'

    We are back underway here in Oriel Park.

  • 45'

    All square here, Dundalk have had the better chances but Rovers have looked threatening on the counterattack. Dundalk will feel they should be ahead but Rovers have gone closer with Richie Towell and Lee Grace.

  • 42'

    Sean Hoare goes close with a header but it goes well wide of Sheppard's post.

  • 39'

    Dan William is booked for a foul.

  • 36'

    Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers having a real ding dong here, this game could go either way and the opening goal will be crucial. For now it's been a case for the defence and how well they are performing.

  • 31'

    CHANCE: How did that stay out? Another corner from Benson is met this time by Mark Connolly, the crowd were on their feet only for it to be cleared off the line!

  • 30'

    SAVE: A corner sent in is met by Hoban on the back post and it looked as if it was creeping in only for a finger tip save from Pohls.

  • 25'

    Towell broke the offside trap and defeated the defensive line and hit a clever half volley that Nathan Sheppard did well to save, it could have been the ghost of Christmas past coming back to haunt Lilywhite fans.

  • 24'

    Two corners in a quick session see Dundalk press hard but fail to get an opener. This game hangs in the balance with Rovers looking dangerous on the counterattack.

  • 22'

    Barry Cotter gets booked for a foul on Sam Bone.

  • 20'

    Dangerous ball was sent in and Mark Connolly had to make sure of the sight of the ball as Mandriou was ready to pounce, the resulting corner is cleared at the near post.

  • 17'

    A free-kick sent in by Adam causes all sorts of issues, Pohls didn't command his area but his defence held firm. Both Sloggett and Martin had attempts blocked down.

  • 12'

    Things have calmed down a little but it's a real battle here in midfield, Robbie Benson flashes a header over from a Pat Hoban cross.

  • 8'

    Joe Adams tries his luck from the edge of the area but it is saved easily by Pohls

  • 7'

    CHANCE: Dundalk break free of the Rover's defence and Pohls spills it and with an open goal Benson strikes it on the volley that goes wide.

  • 5'

    The first sight on goal, a diving header from a cross into the Dundalk area goes well wide of Sheppards box.

  • 3'

    Bit of a mix up in midfield and Mandriou looked to be away only for a last-ditch tackle from Andy Boyle.

  • 1'

    And we are underway, Robbie Benson kicks us off.

  • The teams are out in Oriel, the roar the home fans gave at the start of this match was something else.

  • Just a third Premier Division start for Leon Pohls tonight. He played in the games away to Waterford and Bohs last November - Rovers winning the first 3-1 and losing the second 3-1.

  • It’s the 250th League of Ireland appearance of his career tonight for Patrick Hoban and the 325th start of his career. Hoban has 10 career goals against Rovers but has lost on the last three occasions when scoring against them – all in Tallaght Stadium including twice in 2021

  • Stephen O’Donnell has yet to record a victory over his former Arsenal teammate Stephen Bradley in their seven meetings to date. The first four meetings between Rovers and his St Pat’s side ended in a draw – the first three being scoreless and the other 1-1 in March 2021.

  • Rovers' last league win at Oriel Park came in September 2020 when they ran out 4-0 winners with Jack Byrne scoring twice and Liam Scales and Aaron McEneff (penalty) also on target. That was against a weakened Dundalk side who were prepping for a Europa League play-off.

  • For Shamrock Rovers: Leon Pohls is in goal for Rovers with former Lilywhites Sean Hoare and Richie Towell also starting. The other former Lilywhite that is now a Hoop Sean Gannon is on the bench.

  • Team news for Dundalk - well there is only one Stephen Bradley tonight. Three changes for the home side from the team which drew with Shelbourne on Friday with Lewis Macari, Dan Williams and Joe Adams coming in for Mark Hanratty, Keith Ward and Steven Bradley.

  • Good Evening from Oriel Park, tonight is the big one as Dundalk FC take on Shamrock Rovers in a game that has a lot riding on it. Dundalk looking to maintain their unbeaten run, Shamrock Rovers looking not to lose any further ground.

Past Meetings

(Series 30)
1 - 0
LOI Men's Premier Division
Oriel Park

Dundalk v Shamrock Rovers

(Series 19)
3 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
Tallaght Stadium

Shamrock Rovers v Dundalk

(Series 12)
2 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
Oriel Park

Dundalk v Shamrock Rovers

(Series 3)
2 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
Tallaght Stadium

Shamrock Rovers v Dundalk

(President's Cup)
1 - 1*
President's Cup
Tallaght Stadium

Shamrock Rovers v Dundalk

(Final)
2 - 4
FAI Cup
Aviva Stadium

Shamrock Rovers v Dundalk

(Series 13)
0 - 4
LOI Men's Premier Division
Oriel Park

Dundalk v Shamrock Rovers

(Series 4)
3 - 2
LOI Men's Premier Division
Tallaght Stadium

Shamrock Rovers v Dundalk

3 - 2
LOI Men's Premier Division
Oriel Park

Dundalk FC v Shamrock Rovers FC

0 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
Tallaght Stadium

Shamrock Rovers FC v Dundalk FC

2 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
Oriel Park

Dundalk FC v Shamrock Rovers FC

0 - 0
LOI Men's Premier Division
Tallaght Stadium

Shamrock Rovers FC v Dundalk FC

1 - 2
LOI Men's Premier Division
Oriel Park

Dundalk FC v Shamrock Rovers FC

2 - 5
LOI Men's Premier Division
Tallaght Stadium

Shamrock Rovers FC v Dundalk FC

2 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
Oriel Park

Dundalk FC v Shamrock Rovers FC

0 - 0
LOI Men's Premier Division
Tallaght Stadium

Shamrock Rovers FC v Dundalk FC

0 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
Oriel Park

Dundalk FC v Shamrock Rovers FC

2 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
Tallaght Stadium

Shamrock Rovers FC v Dundalk FC

2 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
Oriel Park

Dundalk FC v Shamrock Rovers FC

3
LOI Men's Premier Division
Tallaght Stadium

Shamrock Rovers FC v Dundalk FC

1 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
Oriel Park

Dundalk FC v Shamrock Rovers FC

2
LOI Men's Premier Division
Tallaght Stadium

Shamrock Rovers FC v Dundalk FC

1 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
Tallaght Stadium

Shamrock Rovers FC v Dundalk FC

2
LOI Men's Premier Division
Oriel Park

Dundalk FC v Shamrock Rovers FC

2 - 2
LOI Men's Premier Division
Tallaght Stadium

Shamrock Rovers FC v Dundalk FC

7:45 pm
LOI Men's Premier Division
Oriel Park

Dundalk FC v Shamrock Rovers FC

1
LOI Men's Premier Division
Tallaght Stadium

Shamrock Rovers FC v Dundalk FC

2 - 2
LOI Men's Premier Division
Oriel Park

Dundalk FC v Shamrock Rovers FC

Officials

RefereeAssistants
Damien MacGraithRob Clarke
Wayne McDonnell

Ground

Oriel Park
Carrickmacross Road, Dundalk No. 3 Urban, The Municipal District of Dundalk, County Louth, Leinster, A91 RC44, Ireland

Ciaran Callan is a part-time sports journalist based in Dundalk, Co. Louth. He has more than 10 year’s experience working with media companies including both extensive radio broadcasting experience along with print and digital media reporting for the SSE Airtricity League as well digital media work with the national sports company eirSport. He joined FinalWhistle in February 2021 as is their main correspondent for Dundalk Football Club.