Rovers thrash Dundalk to take a big step towards league title

Shamrock Rovers took a huge step towards retaining their league title with a crushing victory over nearest challengers Dundalk at Tallaght Stadium.

Stephen Bradley's side came into the game on the back of a 4-0 first leg defeat to Ferencvaros in their Europa League play-off tie in Hungary 72 hours earlier but three goals on the break from Aaron Greene, Richie Towell and Rory Gaffney ensured there was no European hangover ahead of this Thursday’s second leg.

Dundalk came into the game with a chance of closing the gap at the top of the table to a single point, albeit with a game more played, but their inexperience showed as their high line was exposed time and time again by a Rovers side who never really had to get out of second gear.

Stephen O’Donnell’s side dominated possession on the night and had chances of their own but the concession of three almost identical goals on the break meant that they never really threatened an upset.

As it stands Rovers - who will still have to overcome the distractions of a European group stage campaign to ensure a third title in-a-row - have a seven point lead over Dundalk at the top, with a game in hand still to play, while they are 10 clear of Derry City in third.

There’s still work for them to do with 10 games to go but this felt like a pivotal night for the Hoops.

Both sides had early chances with Ronan Finn firing over after taking a Lee Grace cross on his chest inside the box after just 40 seconds before John Martin flicked a header wide from Steven Bradley’s cross at the other end on five minutes.

The visitors did much of the pressing after that but were badly exposed when Rovers broke to take the lead on 13 minutes. Daniel Cleary’s ball out of defence allowed Gaffney charge away from