FULL TIME: The persistence of Shamrock Rovers paid off as Danny Mandriou was the right man at the right moment to score the match goal at the Tallaght Stadium. Both sides were frustrated at times and will reflect on missed opportunities to secure victory, but Rover's experience in carving out a goal opportunity at the crucial moment was just what Stephen Bradley's side needed to secure victory.

4 minutes added

Connolly is given a yellow card for a foul on Emakhu

It goes from bad to worse for Gartland as he fouls Emakhu en route to goal and the referee shows a second yellow and he is off.

Byrne is off and is replaced by Chris Mc Cann.

Dundalk beginning to push here for an equaliser as a free-kick is deflected for a corner, and Bradley's set-piece is cleared by Lopes for a throw-in.

Richie Towell is about to come into the game here.

CHANCE: Aidomo Emakhu broke free of the Dundalk defence and looked set to slide it past Sheppard but it just went wide of the far post.

Double change for Dundalk: Sloggett and Ward go off and Hoban and McMillan on.

Gartland for a foul is giving a yellow card.

More on the goal: Jack Byrne slips the ball in between the Dundalk centre-halves with Mandriou latching onto it to slot past Shepperd

GOAL! A fantastic ball from the back found it's way to Mandriou who applied a sublime finish to slot it under Sheppard.

A series of changes here: Cotter, Lyons and Emakhu are all on for Farrugia, Gannon and Greene Steven Bradley is on for Adams for Dundalk

It looks as if Andy Lyons and Barry Cotter are set to come on

Rovers looking to make a change - Bradley is calling to his bench.

This game is a tale of two teams - Shamrock Rovers pressing and working hard for an opening goal but Dundalk are looking threatening every time they attack. A game could open this game up but the more this goes on the more frustrating it will be.

Byrne tees up a shot from the edge of the area but Sheppard was well placed to save it.

Starting on the front foot, Shamrock Rovers press forward with Gannon and his cross is met in the Dundalk but once again that vital touch is not there.

SECOND HALF: Rovers get us back underway at the Tallaght Stadium, no changes for either side as of yet.

HALF TIME: Shamrock Rovers could have should have been ahead in this contest but Dundalk when threatening looked dangerous with the front three. It's been an entertaining half of football but all that was missing was a goal.

Grace finds himself in the area with the goal at his mercy, a bit of composure and it would have been 1-0 however the ball was hanging high when it came to him so it was a tough chance.

CHANCE: Dundalk with a rare attack in this final few minutes after being under big pressure sees Adams send the ball into the area, Sloggett leaves it and Kelly was on hand to attack on Mannus goal, its well blocked by the Hoops keeper.

Mandriou having a bit of a personal battle with the Dundalk goal at the moment, his effort while high and curling could have caused Sheppard issues if a little lower.

TACTICS: Just an update now the game has settled, Dundalk have deployed a 4-3-3 formation with Adams, Ward and Kelly deployed as an attacking front three.

CLOSE: Mandriou with an excellent burst of pace forward his shot on goal just goes inches wide of the Sheppards near post.

The game has calmed down a little, Dundalk and Rovers both pressing high but the output to the final third lacks that cutting edge as of yet.

TACTICS: Dundalk playing a 'false nine' approach with no formal striker on the field of play, the main attacking option seems to be coming from Ward and Kelly with a midfield that is stacked with Sam Bone playing in a Central Defensive Midfielder role. Greg Sloggett seems to be working high to press with the supposed front two. Interesting concept.

CHANCE: Sean Gannon's initial effort is only parried by Sheppard and the follow up by Watts looked as if it would creep in at the back post but it just flashes wide.

CHANCE: A deep cross sent in from Gannon is nearly met by Mandriou at the back post, with Sheppard a little off position it would have been a simple tap down if he had got a right initial first touch.

Sloggett breaks free of the Rover's defence and his snapshot takes a deflection but it goes safely in the keeper's hands.

Some excellent link-up play between Jack Byrne and Sean Gannon sees Aaron Greene get a sight on goal but Mark Connolly pushes it away, the resulting corner results in a fine stop from Nathan Sheppard that sees the ball evenually cleared.

Dylan Watts breaks free of the Dundalk defence, he evades Gartland's challenge but his shot on goal was well wide of the mark.

Brian Gartland is back in the starting lineup tonight, it was here with a misstep that caused him to tear his ACL. Thankfully the Dundalk captain returns to the side now in full health.

OFF THE POST: Shamrock Rovers concede a free kick in a dangerous area, Keith Ward drives it in and Daniel Kelly is on hand for the second ball and his header cannons off the cross bar.

KICK OFF: Dundalk gets things underway and begin on the front foot, massive noise coming from both sets of fans here in Tallaght.

Here come the teams, Dundalk will be kicking off tonight shooting towards Tallaght's KOP. Daniel Kelly it looks like will start up front.

Dundalk wears their new red 3rd strip tonight in recognition of the 1990/91 league winning side of which first-team manager Dave Markey was part. Dundalk has also had red change kits in 2000/01 and 2006 but this is the first time they will have worn red since 2010.

Dundalk has won four of the last seven meetings - including the 2020 FAI Cup final and the 2021 President's Cup final. While the sides finished scoreless in Oriel last month, Dundalk lost both league games in Tallaght last season

Two former Dundalk players in the Rovers starting 11 tonight it's league start number 175 of his career tonight for Sean Hoare while Sean Gannon starts just his third league game of this season. He missed out on the trip to Oriel Park last month through illness.

There are five changes to the Dundalk side which beat Sligo Rovers on Friday night with Benson and Williams (injured) and Bradley, Boyle and Hoban (bench) out. Rovers make four changes from the side which beat Pat's with Finn, Kavanagh, Towell and Gaffney dropping to the bench

Good Evening from the Tallaght Stadium as Shamrock Rovers take on Dundalk in a game that will have a big baring on our series two of this league season will go.