Sport

Rovers bring it to the wire

Dundalk 2 Shamrock Rovers 4: THE TITLE race will go to the last day of the season after a late rally by Shamrock Rovers saw …

Sat Oct 24 2009 - 01:00

Dundalk 2 Shamrock Rovers 4:THE TITLE race will go to the last day of the season after a late rally by Shamrock Rovers saw them secure a crucial win over Dundalk at Oriel Park.

Not for the first time, Rovers were thankful for Gary Twigg. The striker grabbed his 23rd goal of the season with the game level at 2-2 heading into the final five minutes. Dessie Baker then put the icing on the cake with a last-minute free-kick.

The Hoops dominated much of the first half. Stephen Rice had their first sighting of goal in the 22nd minute with a long-range effort that went wide of the post.

Stephen Bradley then tested Peter Cherrie with a stinging half volley that the Dundalk goalkeeper did well to hold but Michael O’Neill’s side got the goal their play deserved in the 28th minute. Robinson picked up on a loose clearance some 25-yards from goal before guiding a drive inside Cherrie’s near post.

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Rovers’ hopes were dealt a blow five minutes into the second-half. Chris Turner picked the ball up some 30-yards from goal before letting fly with a left-foot drive. It looked comfortable for Mannus but the ball squirmed from his grasp to find the net.

Rovers bounced back and went within inches of retaking the lead when Robinson saw a blistering drive from 35-yard dip on to the top of the crossbar.

Twigg then came alive with an overhead kick which looked destined for the bottom corner but Cherrie produced a fantastic save to deny his fellow countryman.

Their title challenge was back on track in the 80th minute when Darragh Maguire bundled home after Graham Barrett’s header had come back off the crossbar but their lead lasted just 60 seconds. Shaun Williams sidestepped Aidan Price to slot home from close range before the late goal sealed the win.

DUNDALK: Cherrie; Shaun Kelly, Burns, Heary (Simon Kelly, 21 mins), Murphy (Mansaram 74); McGowan, Daly, Turner, McKinley; Williams, Rowe.

SHAMROCK ROVERS: Mannus; Sullivan, Maguire, Price, Robinson; Rice, Bradley (Kavanagh 65, mins), O'Connor (Barrett 73), Cahill; Twigg, Amond (Baker 83).

Referee: D Hanney (Dublin).