Dylan Watts’ 58th-minute strike kept Shamrock Rovers’ five-in-a-row dream alive as they overcame a battling Dundalk side 1-0 in difficult conditions in this televised SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division clash at Oriel Park on Sunday evening.

Already-relegated Dundalk’s first-half performance really deserved a half-time lead, with club captain John Mountney, Jad Hakiki – who cracked the crossbar with a sweet strike – and Robbie Mahon all going close.

However, after Johnny Kenny missed a sitter at the start of the second half, Rovers got their noses in front before the hour mark when substitute Graham Burke’s cross was cleared only as far as Watts who fired to the bottom corner to keep the Hoops’ title hopes alive.

Eoin Kenny of Dundalk in action against Roberto Lopes, left, and Neil Farrugia of Shamrock Rovers during the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division match between Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers at Oriel Park in Dundalk, Louth. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile.

For the game, Jon Daly made three changes from the loss against Derry City nine days earlier as Mahon, Mayowa Animasahun and Eoin Kenny returned to the starting XI. Youngsters Vinnie Leonard – who has been called up to the Ireland Under-17 squad – and Scott Brady came into the 20-man matchday panel.

Dundalk came under pressure in the early stages, at times gifting possession to Rovers in dangerous areas, but it was the home side that created the first opening of note when Mountney raided to the by-line and his pull-back just evaded Hakiki who was well placed.

On the quarter-hour, the ball bounced in the Rovers box and Hakiki touched it back for Mountney whose shot was deflected just wide by Roberto Lopes. From the corner, Mountney kept it alive at the back post and his header was met sweetly by Hakiki whose strike crashed back off the bar.

Danny Mandroiu of Shamrock Rovers in action against Daryl Horgan of Dundalk during the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division match between Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers at Oriel Park in Dundalk, Louth. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile.

In difficult conditions, there was little in the way of clear chances. On 38 minutes, Rovers won a free-kick in a promising position but Jack Byrne’s well-delivered set-piece was beaten away by Ross Munro, who would not be seriously tested in the first half.

Indeed, at the end of the half, Dundalk had another opportunity to take the lead, perhaps the best of their lot. Kenny’s pass from his own half put Mahon through the centre and he set himself before unleashing a powerful strike which was brilliantly stopped by a strong hand from Leon Pohls.

Stephen Bradley was suspended for the game and sitting in the stand, but the coaching team of Glenn Cronin and Stephen McPhail introduced Burke and Darragh Burns at half-time. Two minutes after the break, Rovers should have taken the lead when Burke squared the ball for Kenny but he somehow dragged the ball wide.

Darragh Burns of Shamrock Rovers is fouled by Seán Keogh of Dundalk during the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division match between Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers at Oriel Park in Dundalk, Louth. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile.

Rovers then lost Danny Mandroiu to injury. But four minutes later, they had the lead. Burke floated a cross which was headed away by Dundalk but only as far as Watts who, from inside the box, found the bottom corner with a well-hit strike through bodies.

Dundalk responded well and, before the hour mark, a good Daryl Horgan free-kick delivery came off the head of Rovers defender Lee Grace in the box and Pohls was forced to push the ball behind for a corner.

The Lilywhites made their first substitutions just before the midway point of the second half as Ryan O’Kane and Dara Keane were introduced, as they looked to avoid a sixth straight home loss. Shortly after, on 69 minutes, Watts went close to a second for the visitors but his shot flew inches wide of the same corner he had scored into.

Neil Farrugia of Shamrock Rovers in action against Koen Oostenbrink of Dundalk during the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division match between Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers at Oriel Park in Dundalk, Louth. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile.

Norman Garbett was thrown in for the final quarter-of-an-hour, but sadly he was only on the pitch a couple of minutes when he pulled up with a hamstring injury as he chased down a ball in the Rovers half.

Dundalk were down to ten men for that period and Rovers almost made the most of it with an 82nd-minute insurance goal. Watts played a good one-two with Farrugia who pulled the ball back for his teammate but Munro produced a fabulous save to keep Dundalk within one.

Leonard was then introduced for his Dundalk league debut, and the home side went right to the final whistle through eight minutes of injury-time, but were able to threaten Pohls or Rovers’ title charge as that rolls onto the final day of the season next Friday.

Ross Munro in action during the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division match between Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers at Oriel Park in Dundalk, Louth. Photo by Gerry Scully.

For the Lilywhites, their home fixtures for the year are now complete, as they prepare to say goodbye to the Premier Division after 16 seasons with a last-day trip to Drogheda.

DUNDALK FC: Ross Munro, John Mountney, Mayowa Animasahun, Hayden Cann, Seán Keogh, Koen Oostenbrink (Vinnie Leonard 83), Daryl Horgan, Jad Hakiki (Ryan O’Kane 65), Aodh Dervin (Norman Garbett 76, Scott McGill 83), Robbie Mahon (Dara Keane 66), Eoin Kenny. Subs not used: Felix Goddard (GK), Andy Boyle, Luke Mulligan, Scott Brady.

SHAMROCK ROVERS: Leon Pohls, Daniel Cleary, Roberto Lopes, Lee Grace, Neil Farrugia, Jack Byrne (Markus Poom 85), Gary O’Neill (Graham Burke HT), Dylan Watts, Josh Honohan (Darragh Burns HT), Danny Mandroiu (Aaron McEneff 54), Johnny Kenny (Aaron Greene 63). Subs not used: Lee Steacy (GK), Darragh Nugent, Trevor Clarke, Marc McNulty.

REFEREE: Robert Harvey.