Dundalk left to rue late Finn strike

Dundalk supporter David Lennon looks on at Oriel Park last night in front of a packed Shed. Picture: Jason McGee

Dundalk squandered the chance to maintain their two point lead at the top of the Premier Division table when Ronan Finn’s injury-time goal rescued 10 man Shamrock Rovers a 2-2 draw at Oriel Park last night.

To add to the Lilywhites’ woes, captain Stephen O’Donnell was stretchered off just before half-time with a suspect crucicate ligament injury that could rule the midfielder out for the season.

Rovers looked to be heading for defeat until Finn popped up on the right of the area in the 92nd minute to fire low past Peter Cherrie to rescue his side a share of the spoils.

Trevor Croly’s side had got off to a dream start when Ciaran Kilduff fired them ahead in the 13^th minute after being slipped through by Finn.

However, Dundalk were gifted a route back into the game when Rovers hit the self destruct button on 56 minutes.

Firstly, Richie Towell levelled from the spot after his header came off the arm of Jason McGuinness. Then, as the home side celebrated, Rovers captain Conor Kenna was shown a straight red card for clashing with Daryl Horgan.

With the man advantage, Dundalk pressed for the lead and found it when Darren Meenan made it 2-1 with a cool finish under Barry Murphy in the 62^nd minute.

The home side had chances to seal the game late on with Horgan and Meenan both missing one-on-one chances and they were made pay for those misses when Finn popped up with his late strike that means Dundalk fall off the summit on goal difference with Cork City now leading the way.

Dundalk: Cherrie; Gannon, Gartland, Boyle, Massey; Higgins; Horgan (Shields 82), Towell, O’Donnell (Meenan 45), Mountney; Hoban (McMillan 84). Subs not used: Byrne, Griffin, Rossiter, Sava.

Shamrock Rovers: Murphy; Madden, Kenna, McGuinness, Heaney; Robinson; McCabe (Waters 66), McPhail (Bayly 68), Finn; Kilduff, Zayed (Cornwall 59). Subs not used: O’Connor, Sheppard, Hyland.

Referee: P McLaughlin (Monaghan).

Shields goal ensures Dundalk’s path into Setanta Cup final

Dundalk FC last night booked themselves a place in next month’s Setanta Sports Cup final against Sligo Rovers with a 1-0 victory over Shamrock Rovers at Oriel Park last night.

Chris Shields’ goal two minutes into the second half proved the difference between the sides on the night, with the Lilywhites advancing to the final on Saturday May 10^th with a 3-1 aggregate lead having beaten Trevor Croly’s side 2-1 in Tallaght three weeks earlier.

Dundalk had the better of the chances throughout but did have to defend resolutely at times to keep the Hoops out.

The home side’s best opening of the first half came on the half hour mark when Andy Boyle headed a corner over. Five minutes before the break through, Peter Cherrie had to be at his best to keep a deflected shot from Ronan Finn out.

The breakthrough finally arrived two minutes after the restart when Shields met Ruaidhrí Higgins’ free at the back post to prod it home past Craig Hyland.

Both sides had their chances after that with John Mountney bringing a fine low save out of Hyland before Karl Sheppard blazed over from close range.

Rovers kept pressing until the end but never really troubled Cherrie as Stephen Kenny’s side held out to book the club only their second ever Setanta Cup final appearance.

The venue for the May 10^th final will be decided on Thursday while the fixture means that Dundalk’s scheduled league clash at home to neighbours Drogheda Utd on May 9^th will have to be arranged.

Dundalk: Cherrie; Gannon, Boyle, Rossiter, Massey; Shields, Higgins; Mountney, Towell (O’Donnell 88), Horgan (Meenan 77); McMillan (Hoban 70).

Shamrock Rovers: Hyland; Cornwall, Heaney (Kehoe 76), Kenna, Byrne; Finn (Kilduff 76), Robinson, Bayly, Waters (Brennan 69); Zayed, Sheppard.

Referee: Raymond Crangle.

Attendance: 1,976.

Former Dundalk boss Gill appointed number two at Shamrock Rovers

John Gill

Former Dundalk manager John Gill has signed a one-year contract as assistant manager of Shamrock Rovers.

The Donabate man – who led the Lilywhites back to the Premier Division in 2008 – will act as number two to Trevor Croly in 2014.

Gill has been out of management since being controversially relieved of his job following promotion in 2008, although has acted as assistant to Pete Mahon at St Patrick’s Athletic since then.

Still a popular figure in Oriel Park, Gill will make his return to Dundalk when Shamrock Rovers are visitors to the Carrick Road venue on April 18^th.