Danny Mullen notches his 100th goal in professional football as ten men Dundalk claim valuable point away to Shamrock Rovers.
Shamrock Rovers 1
Dundalk 1
The two most decorated clubs in Irish football history met tonight in what was originally meant to be both clubs opening fixture of the new League of Ireland season. Weather issues however delayed what is one of the biggest rivalries in Irish sport.
Both sides looked to gain early season momentum going into their first round of Friday-Monday fixtures, something Hoops’ boss Stephen Bradley has hailed the importance of. For the visiting Lilywhites’ away form had been crucial in their First Division title victory, a trend they intended on continuing following their 2-2 draw with title challengers Derry City.
The home side buoyed by their 2-0 victory over Dublin city rivals St Pats looked to start on the front-foot. Ireland underage international Michael Noonan started brightly making runs into the channel early on amidst speculation over the ins and outs of a failed transfer to Hoffeinheim.
Dundalk gained momentum early on with a cut back from Daryl Horgan needing to be cleared away by the ever present Lee Grace. Horgan the ex Ireland international would then set up Tyreke Wilson who forced Ed McGinty into action for the first time.
Debutant Tunmise Sobowale steered a header wide on minute 14 from a delicate Jack Byrne delivery. The on loan man from St. Mirrin impressed quickly and on the following play earned his side a corner.
Trevor Clarke who was trusted in place of the in-form Adam Brennan won Rovers a free kick in a dangerous crossing position on the left wing. Byrne would thus have another chance to deliver into the Dundalk box and this time captain Roberto Lopes expertly flicked his header into the top right corner past Conor Kearns in the Dundalk goal.
Michael Noonan looked to add to the champions lead in the 24th minute when Matt Healy clipped a through ball over the head of Harvey Warren, Noonan in the end took his touch too wide and offered Kearns the opportunity to smother the ball at his feet.
As the half progressed Rovers continued to gain a foot-hold in midfield with Jack Byrne dropping deeper to help facilitate possession with Matt Healy proving to be a solution for Dundalk’s high press.
Shamrock Rovers imposed their risk/reward approach to building out from the back throughout the first half with quite success although on this occasion a loose touch from Byrne allowed Daryl Horgan a chance to test Ed McGinty from distance, The Hoops’ shot-stopper spilled the ball on the first attempt before smoothly recovering.
Dundalk began the second half similarly to how they did in the first half with quick incisive passing attempting to box Rovers into their own half. Gbemi Arubi who looked a dejected figure earlier on, found space in behind the right side before crossing to the path of Ronan Teahan whose touch let him down allowing McGinty to claim.
The Town continued to dominate the second half and Arubi had the visitors biggest chance of the game so far when he connected on a cross from Ronan Teahan, his effort flashed just wide of the post. Former Bohemians captain Keith Buckley was introduced with 30 minutes to go, his arrival was met with a serenade of boo’s from the Rovers faithful.
Horgan flashed two long range efforts on goal from sloppy giveaways from Rovers within a two minute span. Rovers responded to their midfield woes in the second half by calling upon Dylan Watts and Friday nights Dublin derby hero Adam Brennan.
The second half quickly turned into a game of transition play with 20 minutes to ago, both sides launched counter attacks of their own with Dundalk coming closest when Danny Mullen attempted a bicycle kick which flashed just over the Rovers goal.
Dundalk’s hopes of an equaliser were soon dealt a major blow after a contested ball between Aaron Greene and Vinnie Leonard was miscalculated by the Dundalk defender who pulled Greene down resulting in a straight red card for the soon to be Norwich player.
With Dundalk playing down a man the home side enjoyed more space in midfield with substitute Victor Ozhianvuna setting up Adam Brennan who had two glorious chances in the space of a minute to extend the Hoops’ lead.
Dundalk would get their deserved equaliser in the 90th minute after Daryl Horgan’s inch perfect delivery caused Ed McGinty to spill the ball in front of Danny Mullen who prodded the ball over the line to send the Dundalk away end into raptures.
The goal that has Dundalk level! pic.twitter.com/yGfN1jiX7o
— League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) February 23, 2026
Rovers pressed to find a winner in the six minutes of injury time added on nevertheless the ten men of Dundalk held on against an array of crosses into the box, and unsuccessful probes from the Hoops’ creative midfielders.
A draw can be considered a fair result by both sides but Rovers will rue not seeing the game out from the position they were in with a minute to go.
Man of the Match: Roberto Lopes
Although the late concession from Rovers cost them two valuable points, their captain Roberto Lopes was key in preventing Dundalk from scoring earlier. Lopes’ moment of the night came in the 20th minute of the match where he rose highest to connect on a Jack Byrne delivery to put his side in front.
Shamrock Rovers: Ed McGinty, Adam Matthews, Roberto Lopes, Lee Grace, Trevor Clarke, Matt Healy, Connor Malley, Tunmise Sobowale, Jack Byrne, Graham Burke, Michael Noonan: Subs Dylan Watts for Connor Malley (66′), Adam Brennan for Trevor Clarke (66′), Aaron Greene for Michael Noonan (75′), Jake Mulraney for Jack Byrne (75′), Victor Ozhianvuna for Graham Burke (75′)
Dundalk: Conor Kearns, Tyreke Wilson, Vinnie Leonard, Harvey Warren, JR Wilson, Aodh Dervin, Harry Groome, Daryl Horgan, Gbemi Arubi, Ronan Teahan, Declan McDaid: Subs Keith Buckley for Harry Groome (58′), Danny Mullen for Gbemo Arubi (58′), Bobby Burns for Ronan Teahan (69′), Eoin Kenny for Declan McDaid (69′), Rob Cornwall for Aodh Dervin (78′)
Referee: Aaron O’Dowd
Attendance: 4352