A Draw at Oriel meant a lot for both Hoops and Lilywhites

In these stages of league play, it will not come easy for the lads of Dundalk FC, after renewing their league compromises and playing at home against a hardened and ambitious Shamrock Rovers squad.

With the Lilywhites occupying the top spot in league play, with yesterday’s match, were the Leesiders of Cork City netted a win, the heat was on for the defending champions in what seems a much-contested completion of this campaign.

As this match meant a lot for both of these squads, especially for Dundalk FC looking forward to net its third shield in a consecutive way, so it was for their visiting foes.

For the Shamrock Rovers out of contention for the league shield but desperately looking to seize the last European spot held currently by Derry City with a lead of just two points over the Dubliners.

So far, for the Dundalk squad coming from their current compromises on the international stages of the Europa League, that was something that could play in the advantage of the Hoops trying to make a gain from their league foes hectic schedule.

Coming to Oriel Park for any of the Airtricity League squads, is like coming to purgatory due to its difficulty of playing against its home squad that is one strong rival to beat in front of their home crowd.

Very well for the Lilywhites because of their international play compromises and absence from their home field, this meant a sort of homecoming, as the Louth County Boys have to play in Tallaght back in Dublin because their venue is not suited for Europa League.

Their pressure and the anxiety of Stephen Kenny and his Lilywhites as well playing against a rival as hardened and determined as the Dublin Boys of Tallaght, was to develop into an all-around challenge to keep their positive streak.

As the game started with a very dominant Dundalk squad looking forward to seals the deal early and go home with the joy of enjoying their deliverance of three easy points, their unfortunate err was to underestimated their rivals in the field, these too putting on a fight.

Seeing a match so fought off in every minute of play by each squad it is when a minor blink by the local’s keeper Gary Rogers and his defender Andy Boyle miscue opened the doors for the Hoops first goal in the 32^nd minute by Gary Shaw.

Still as this game saw his ups, then came the lows when at time were plays very dangerous and for sheer luck the culprits only saw a yellow card in total opposition from the Dundalk Boss Stephen Kenny asking for a harsher punishment.

As the half ended in favor of the Shamrock Rovers seeing luck striking their way, suddenly their tables were turn as the home side came out with lots of ambition and looking forward to turn the score in their favor. So much was the persistence of Dundalk initial eleven, when the much-desired goal came in the 58^th minute for the locals and the frenzy of its followers.

As Brian Gartland destiny in this match was to become the hero of the locals with his opportune kick that place the ball in the far corner and nothing could the Rovers keeper Barry Murphy could do to prevent the equalizer.

Despite the game even, the dominance of the locals shown through the rest of the match and with several opportunities for them to put the ball in the back of the Rovers net, here we can give kudos to the visitor’s keeper Murphy all around heroics.

Great match and a draw with the essence of a win for both squads as the Hoops are within 2 points of the Candystripes for the last European spot and the Lilywhites with this point it gives them and edge of five points over the Rebel Army of Cork City.

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