Dundalk hold champions to draw

Dundalk 1 Shamrock Rovers 1

Shamrock Rovers boss Michael O’Neill was sent from the dugout as his champions had to settle for a point at Oriel Park.

O’Neill was dismissed four minutes from time when he and his players were incensed when not awarded a penalty after Ross Gaynor pulled down Karl Sheppard inside the area.

Referee Derek Tomney waved play on and then sent O’Neill to the stand for protesting.

Rovers positive start was rewarded with the lead goal on 16 minutes when Sheppard outpaced the home defence onto Enda Stevens' ball over the top to shoot past Peter Cherrie for his third goal in successive matches.

Dundalk equalised on 37 minutes as Jason Byrne drove home a penalty after Mark Quigley was taken down inside the area by Stephen Rice.

It was Byrne’s fifth goal of the league season and brought him level with Turlough O’Connor on 178 strikes, joint-third in the all-time list of League of Ireland goalscorers.