FULL TIME: Dundalk sent Chris Shields off into the sunset with his final three points in a Dundalk shirt as Dundalk overcame Derry City and leapfrog them in the table with a win in Oriel Park tonight. Thats seven points out of nine since Vinny Perths return to the club. This win tonight gives a much-needed boost to Dundalk’s slight aspirations for Europe. For Derry City, it’s a dent in the improvements they have made of late.

Three added minutes here in Oriel.

Sonni arrives into the game.

Duffy comes on in a defensive switch.

We have five minutes to go here at Oriel Park. Derry is really putting the pressure on looking for an equaliser with a series of half-chances from a very attacking play, but Dundalk is holding firm and is looking to make a change in the defence with Sonni Nattestad set to come into the game.

McEleney also booked.

For a foul on Duffy and a little bit of handbags with McEleney, Thompson goes into the book.

Duffy once again on the right-hand side but his low effort was well saved by Gartside.

Dundalk double substitution sees Darragh Leahy and Patrick Hoban come off and David McMillan and Cameron Dummigan come into the game.

Duffy's free-kick was sent into the area and Hoban heads over.

The South Korean winger picks up the ball on the edge of the area and his snap shot just goes wide.

Eoin Toal with an excellent challenge in the area that prevents Duffy from adding to Dundalk's tally tonight.

Double substitution for Dundalk as Greg Sloggett and Han Jeong-Woo comes on for Sean Murray and Daniel Kelly.

Thompson gets the ball on the edge of the area and lets one fly but his effort goes over the bar.

Double substitution for Dundalk as Greg Sloggett and Han Jeong-Woo comes on for Sean Murray and Daniel Kelly.

And Derry responds almost immediately, a series of attacks leads to a corner and Toal heads powerfully past Abibi to restore the one-goal deficit.

Hoban despatches the penalty with ease despite Gartside guessing right.

A handball in the area from the corner and the referee points to the spot.

PENALTY DUNDALK!

A great through ball to Michael Duffy sees the winger forced a save and it a corner.

Leahy goes into the book for a foul.

Big chance for Derry as a cross from the right is sent to the back post and Lafferty was outstretching but it goes wide.

There is a double substitution for Derry City as Cole & Coll replaces Malone and Parkhouse at the beginning of the second half.

We are back underway for the second half

For so long it was the Hoban vs Gartside show but its Daniel Kelly who slots the all-important goal away to make it 1-0 to the home side.

For body checking Hoban, Lafferty gets a yellow card.

For a foul on Sean Murray, Jack Malone gets a yellow card.

And Dundalk are ahead! Michael Duffy hits a vicious shot that only Gartside can parry and Kelly applied the finish from close range.

Another Hoban header, another wonderful save from Gartside. A cross from Duffy is met by Hoban and Gartside dives brilliantly to tip it around the post.

Fantastic stop by Gartside as a high looping ball from an initial shot from McEleney was headed by Hoban and Gartside palmed it clear to his right.

Abibi called in for the first time as a free-kick whipped in with power and pace is well saved by the keeper.

Sean Murray finds himself through on the left side of the box but his shot is well saved by Gartside on the second attempt.

Another cross from the right and arrives at Pat Hoban but he cannot make the connection on the ball.

Best chance so far in the game, an excellent through ball to Patrick Hoban sees the striker try to slide it under the Derry City but he was equal to it.

Dundalk forced to concede a corner following a Derry attack. Despite the pressure, in the Derry attack, the corner is hooked clear by Daniel Kelly.

First real shot on the Derry goal falls to McEleney who picks up the ball on the edge of the area but his curling effort goes over the bar.

And we are underway at Oriel Park, Sean Murray kicks us off.

Sean Murray makes career appearance number 250 tonight. He has scored twice in his time at Dundalk against Derry City - more than against any other opponent.

There is a massive press presence here from both local, national and from Derry. While the big news is of course Chris Shields, these two years are right beside each other in the league and with European aspirations still on sight for both sides tonights match does have vital importance.

Two changes for Dundalk as Sonni Nattestad and Greg Sloggett drop to the bench with Junior included in the matchday squad against his old side.

Derry City has arrived in Oriel Park following their trip down from Foyleside. Conditions are overcast and compared to the last few weeks is a lot cooler.

Good evening from Oriel Park, for tonight's match between Dundalk FC and Derry City FC. A game that has many a subplot with the departure of Chris Shields for his 'Last Dance' and the return of former player and coach Ruaidhrí Higgins to Oriel Park as manager of Derry City.