A stunning 78th minute strike from substitute Chris Breen lit up Oriel Park tonight as Shamrock Rovers claimed a precious point in their battle with Dundalk for the First Division title, the game finishing 1-1.
The sides went into the game joint top on 49 points apiece but with Pat Scully’s men having a game in hand they will be much the happier of the two title chasers with this result.
Things didn’t look good for the Hoops early on when Paul Marney headed the home side in front on 12 minutes when he rose highest at the back post to send Sean Finn’s free kick past Barry Murphy.
Three minutes later the Louth club were unlucky not to be two up when Peter Hynes outpaced Aidan Price from Philip Hughes’ flick on but after rounding the keeper, the striker saw his effort hooked off the line by Ger O’Brien.
Dundalk were well on top during the opening period but had their play severely disrupted on 17 minutes when floodlight failure at the ground saw the game halted for 28 minutes.
John Gill’s men lost their composure slightly on the restart but Hynes did go close to doubling their advantage when he drilled a 25 yard free kick inches the wrong side of the post.
The home side were worthy leaders at the interval but were always going to come under pressure in the second half with Rovers playing with the advantage of a gale force wind.
After holding off constant pressure from the visitors early on, Dundalk should have made it 2-0 on 58 minutes when a brilliant piece of skill from Hynes saw him leave Price for dead.
The striker then played Hughes through on goal but after firing his initial shot straight at the keeper, his rebound was easily cleared by three Rovers defenders on the line.
The Dublin side started to create numerous chances of their own with Price going close with an outstretched leg from Padraig Amond's free before the latter forced a fine stop from Chris Bennion with a snapshot on 76 minutes.
Rovers then finally managed an equaliser two minutes later when substitute Breen picked up possession on the edge of the area before hitting a right-foot screamer into the top corner of the net.
Indeed, the Hoops were unlucky not to grab a winner on 81 minutes when David Cassidy volleyed inches over the bar from close range.
Dundalk: Bennion; Flanagan, Lynch, Marney, B Kelly; K Dunne, Finn, R Dunne, Doran (Scully, 64 mins); Hynes (Hoey, 87 mins), Hughes.
Shamrock Rovers: Murphy; O’Brien, Price, Kenny, Gannon; Duffy (Breen, 64 mins), Shiels, Cassidy, O’Connor (Perth, 56 mins); Myler (Amond, 64 mins), Rowe.
Referee: Stephen Toner (Dublin).
