Dundalk & Hoops play out entertaining stalemate

Dundalk's unbeaten start to the season continued as they held Shamrock Rovers to a stalemate at Oriel Park.

The 0-0 scoreline doesn’t do justice to what was an entertaining encounter with both goalkeepers making big saves and other big chances being passed up.

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Stephen O’Donnell’s side had the pick of the first-half chances and could have won it at the death when Patrick Hoban blazed over with the goal at his mercy.

The Hoops too had their chances with Richie Towell hitting the crossbar early in the second half before substitute Aaron Greene was denied by a stunning Gordon Banks-esque save from Nathan Shepperd.

The result means Dundalk remain undefeated with five draws and one win from their opening half dozen matches.

It’s a first draw of the campaign for Stephen Bradley’s side, with the champions dropping to fourth in the table with this result.

Rovers started the brighter with Barry Cotter heading wide from a Jack Byrne corner in the sixth minute but the home side quickly grew into it and began to boss the chances.

Indeed, they were unlucky not to be ahead on seven minutes when Leon Pohls - in for the absent Alan Mannus for just his third Premier Division start for the Hoops - made a mess of dealing with Dan Williams cross.

The loose ball dropped invitingly for Robbie Benson but somehow the midfielder volleyed wide.

Williams would test Pohls again soon after before Benson headed over from a Hoban cross.

Rovers almost took the lead against the run of play on 25 minutes when former Lilywhites Sean Hoare and Richie Towell combined.

The defender's ball out of defence played Towell in behind Andy Boyle but his effort was brilliantly tipped over by Shepperd.

Dundalk then began to turn the screw with a series of corners