Life as Dundalk’s first team manager got off to a winning start last night for Shane Keegan as the Louth club retained the President’s Cup.
The competition is the equivalent of the Charity Shield in England – as FAI Cup winners Dundalk and League of Ireland champions Shamrock Rovers met in Tallaght.
Although the game was essentially a friendly, there was nothing friendly about it as seven yellow cards and a red card were dispensed by referee Damien McGraith.
Keegan’s Dundalk took the lead just before half time as 6ft 6in Faroe Islands defender Sonni Nattestad headed home a Patrick McEleney corner.
That goal was cancelled out early in the second half as Republic of Ireland U-21 defender Liam Scales fired home from the edge of the box for Rovers.
But the Rathdowney native’s side would have to play the final half hour with ten men after goal scorer Sonni Nattestad was sent off following a tackle on Graham Burke.
Shamrock Rovers failed to make their numerical advantage count and the game went to penalties.
After an Andy Boyle miss, Graham Burke had the chance to win the game for Rovers but he blazed over.
Darragh Leahy scored the next and then it was the turn of another Dundalk debutante to make themselves a hero.
Albanian Alessio Abibi, signed to replace the recently retired Gary Rogers, having saved from Rory Gaffney earlier in the shoot-out, denied Roberto Lopes to claim the win for Dundalk.
The league season gets underway next weekend as Keegan’s men are away to Sligo Rovers.
Watch highlights of Dundalk’s penalty shoot-out President’s Cup victory over Shamrock Rovers at Tallaght Stadium. #WatchLOI #RTEsoccer pic.twitter.com/w5siR025ik
— Soccer Republic (@SoccRepublic) March 12, 2021
SEE ALSO – Daniel and Majella O’Donnell to headline virtual St Patrick’s Day concert in Laois parish
The post Silverware for Keegan’s Dundalk in first game in charge appeared first on Laois Today.
source https://www.laoistoday.ie/2021/03/13/silverware-for-keegans-dundalk-in-first-game-in-charge/
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