FULL TIME: A performance that was both persevering and tireless Dundalk have left a mark on the second half of their season as they claimed an important victory over Shamrock Rovers. A solitary goal by Sean Murray midway through the first half was the pivotal moment that showed that taking the one chance presented is what is the key to winning games such as this. Shamrock Rovers while impressive in possession squandered chances aplenty but were denied a certain goal courtesy of a fantastic save by Peter Cherrie.

Mayowa Animasahun on for Patching

As Patching came off he was booked

Sam Stanton booked here late on.

What a chance! Sami Ben Amar unmarked hits it high over the bar. That should have been two.

Aidomo Emakhu is on for Aaron Greene

Gaffney gets the ball on the edge of the area and lets one fly however it goes over Peter Cherries bar.

Dundalk breaks quickly with Murray, Stanton and Dummingan linking up but his cross is put over for a corner.

Rory Gaffney has come on for Gary O'Neill

A fantastic free-kick sent in by Duffy falls to Stanton but it is blocked down on route to goal.

Another corner sent in that sees a free header that goes wide for Rovers.

A rare Dundalk attack sees Hoban's cross take a deflection off Sean Hoare that Mannus had to be smart to save. The home side have been pushed into their own half for most of this period.

Neil Farrugia has come on for Barry Cotter

Massive round of applause here as Sam Stanton tackles Richie Towell, both sides looking to test each other early in this half.

Back underway at Oriel Park and it looks as if Shamrock Rovers have come out angry, this could be one of these halves.

HALF TIME: Dundalk are in the lead thanks to Sean Murray and despite Rovers best efforts have been denied at every turn. There is more to come from this game.

I don't know what else to say...what an incredible save from Peter Cherrie to deny Dylan Watts with a curling effort.

One added minute here at Oriel Park, Rovers really turning the screw.

A great cross from Watts was met at the back post by Greene but a fantastic save from Cherrie denied him, however the flag was up for offside.

A corner for Rovers is cleared at the back post, Dundalk holding firm defensively, Daniel Cleary and Danny Mandriou clash in the area but the referee waves play on.

Dundalk at sixes and sevens here for a moment, Cotter's cross was initially blocked on the line and Richie Towell twice is denied.

Robert Harvey books Daniel Cleary.

AND DUNDALK TAKE THE LEAD!!!! Michael Duffy and Pat Hoban link to and the clever of passes to Sean Murray who cool as you like slots it past Mannus.

Very little between these sides here at Oriel Park, you feel if one gets a goal it will open the game up but for which side remains to be seen, while there have been chances neither keeper have been tested to the full extent of their abilities.

Hoban has a snap shot that takes an awkward bounce on the pitch and nearly caught Mannus off guard.

Sean Murray breaks free but his final touch leads the ball away from him.

We are at the twenty-minute mark and Rovers are having a good spell here, Dundalk pinned back a little but always look threatening on the break.

Cotter is on the end of the corner for Shamrock Rovers but it goes wide of the mark.

Sam Stanton hits one from the edge of the area but it goes well wide of the mark.

Almost an opening for Shamrock Rovers as Richie Towell latches onto Ronan Greene's pass but it flashes wide of the mark.

Dundalk making most of the early runs and pressing very high, Daniel Cleary is doing a lot of coverage in defence, he will have his hands full with Aaron Greene.

WHAT A SAVE! Some clever build-up play sees Duffy and Leahy combine but Leahy's shot is cleared off the line and over the bar. There is now a corner to Dundalk.

The first phase of play of the night sees Cameron Dummigan slipping the ball through to Hoban but he can't divert it on target.

We are underway at Oriel Park, both sides have early exchanges but nothing of note as of yet.

The teams are out, we are ready to go. Sean Gannon getting some colourful language hurled towards him.

Protest banners being readied in The Shed against Peak6 - 'Support the Team, Not the Regime', 'Bill Out' and 'We Want our Club Back' amongst them

Patrick Hoban comes into the game on the back of eight goals in six matches. He has scored eight career goals against tonight's opponent's Rovers, including one apiece in the last three matches he has played against them but he has finished on the losing side in all three.

Dundalk captain Andy Boyle makes the 325th league appearance of his career this evening between his time in Ireland, England and Scotland. His league debut for Dundalk came exactly eight years and seven months ago today in a 0-0 draw here at Oriel Park against Rovers back in March 2013.

It's a welcome back to Richie Towell who makes his first return as a player to Oriel Park since departing at the end of 2015 as PFAI Player of the Year. That season he scored 54 goals in 126 appearances for Dundalk. That included 4 against his current employers Shamrock Rovers. He left that night after scoring two goals en route to a 4-0 win. He would then go on to score the winner in the FAI Cup Final a week later before securing a move to Brighton.

News from the Shamrock Rovers camp: Cotter & Finn are being deployed as wing-backs, O’Neill & Towell will anchor the midfield with Aaron Greene leading the line up front.

The teams are in and Dundalk have named an unchanged side for the first time in eighteen games.

The hottest ticket in town and the biggest show in town! Dundalk vs Shamrock Rovers is the only game in the league tonight as the champions look to put on hand on that trophy with a victory over Dundalk FC tonight, Ciaran Callan here from Oriel Park giving you up to date action as it happens from a sold-out Oriel Park.