Rovers move two points clear

Dundalk 1 Shamrock Rovers 2

Goals from Billy Dennehy and another decisive penalty from Stephen O’Donnell moved champions Shamrock Rovers two points clear at the top of the table with a game in hand.

Dundalk had perhaps the better chances in a tight first half with Rovers new signing Jim Paterson taking the ball off the toe of Jason Byrne early on while Mark Quigley had a penalty shout turned down by referee Richie Winter after he felt he was pushed over by Hoops’ skipper Dan Murray.

But Rovers were the better side and their dominance told on 58 minutes when substitute Dennehy shot home at the back post after a good run into the box and low cross by new signings Rohan Ricketts.

Midfielder O’Donnell sealed it on 74 minutes with another confidently taken spot kick after Carl McHugh pushed Ciaran Kilduff to the ground.

Quigley gave Dundalk hope when scoring with a glancing header from Ross Gaynor’s free-kick two minutes into stoppage, but Rovers held out for a fifth league win on the spin.