Shamrock Rovers 3 Dundalk 1

SHAMROCK ROVERS began the new campaign with an impressive victory as Gary Twigg bagged a brace against ten-man Dundalk.

 

Airtricity League fans were treated to a real cracker in the first televised fixture of the campaign as the goals flowed in front of 5,263 spectators at Tallaght Stadium.

Dundalk are a side with ambition this term and came to the home of the Hoops with plenty of confidence on the back of a 5-1 mauling of Michael O’Neill’s men when they last met in September.

Former Hoop Simon Madden was denied an opener in the 15th minute when he was played through by Dean Bennett. Goalkeeper Alan Mannus made a top class stop.

Just 60 seconds later a Ross Gaynor header from a Daniel Kearns cross dropped narrowly wide as Ian Foster’s side continued to threaten an opener.

Gary McCabe almost beat Dundalk keeper Peter Cherrie with a cross-cum-shot in the 19th minute and the Lilywhites keeper was relieved to see the ball drift wide.

Mark Quigley spurned a glorious chance for the visitors two minutes later when he headed over from a matter of yards out after Jason Byrne had flicked on a right wing Madden cross.

The game took a major twist when Dundalk were reduced to ten men in the 23rd minute. Goalkeeper Cherrie was dismissed for taking down Gary O’Neill after the striker had blocked a Cherrie clearance and looked to be through on goal.

Reserve keeper Paul Murphy was introduced for Mark Quigley as the ten man were forced to make adjustments.

They almost snatched a shock lead in the 26th minute when Greg Bolger headed narrowly wide then three minutes later O’Neill had a header saved by Murphy after connecting with a Dennehy cross.

The visitors then were handed a surprise opportunity when Dan Murray was penalised for a trip on Jason Byrne in the Hoops penalty area ion the 44th minute. Byrne stepped up to convert the spot-kick and put Dundalk ahead.

Rovers were not behind long as former futsal international McCabe bagged his first goal for his new side in first half injury-time. McCabe’s strike from O’Neill’s chested lay-off was top quality and proved too hot for Murphy to keep out.

The Hoops went in front five minutes into the second half when Gary Twigg looped a header over Murphy from ten yards out after he pounced on a poor defensive header by Colin Hawkins.

Twigg then produced a brilliant finish to make it 3-1 when he was played through by O’Neill after a neat pass inside from Enda Stevens.

The Scottish striker was denied a hat-trick by a Murphy save in the 63rd minute after he was played through by Ronan Finn.

Stevens created another golden chance for Twigg in the 66th minute but Madden cleared off the line.

Madden denied Twigg yet again in the 78th minute when the Hoops striker rounded Murphy on another lightening break.

It mattered little as the Hoops held on to claim the three points and start the 2011 campaign on the right footing.

Shamrock Rvrs: Mannus; Sullivan, Murray, Oman, Stevens, McCabe, Turner, Finn, Dennehy, O'Neill, Twigg. Subs: Kavanagh for Dennehy 70 mins; Rice for Turner 77; Kelly for O’Neill 82.

Dundalk: Cherries; Madden, Osbourne, Guthrie, Hawkins, Kearns, Bennett, Gaynor, Bolger, Quigley, Byrne. Subs: P Murphy for Quigley 24; Hector for Osbourne 51; Maher for Bolger 81.

Referee: A Kelly (Cork)