Rovers ease back to table-top

Shamrock Rovers 4 Dundalk 0

A brace of goals from James Chambers eased Shamrock Rovers eased back to the top of the table with this facile win over injury-and-suspension-hit Dundalk.

Gary Twigg and an own-goal from Stephen Maher completed the scoring.

Dundalk’s Ross Gaynor hit the bar with a free kick on six minutes, before Rovers tore Dundalk apart, punishing bad defending to lead 3-0 at the break.

Chambers latched onto a poor clearance to volley Rovers in front on 30 minutes.

Keeper Matt Gregg first failed to hold Paddy Kavanagh’s corner to allow Twigg bundle the ball home on 35 minutes.

Dundalk midfielder Alan Cawley was then caught in possession and a melee in the box ensued, Stephen Maher diverted the ball into his won net to put Rovers 3-0 up.

Chambers blasted home his second, and Rovers’ fourth goal, on the hour mark to complete the rout.