Jesus Christ fed a crowd of 5,000 in Galilee, according to legend, armed with little more than five loaves of bread and two fishes.
Likewise, on Easter Monday, Danny Mandroiu and Jack Byrne fed the multitude at Tallaght Stadium. Instead of bread and fishes, they provided nourishment in the form of goals and assists.
Shamrock Rovers’ midfield magicians conjured something out of nothing midway through the second half to break down a well-organised Dundalk side.
The Lilywhites, coached by prodigal son Stephen O’Donnell, had defended stoutly throughout but were powerless to prevent the only goal.
Ireland international Byrne produced a miracle pass to release Mandroiu and send the majority of the 5,532 crowd into raptures.
Both sides made changes to their line-ups following their Good Friday exertions, wins over St Patrick’s Athletic and Sligo Rovers respectively, as they looked to rise again.
Dundalk rested top scorers Patrick Hoban and Steven Bradley, while local boy Aaron Greene started up front for Rovers.
And the visitors almost took the lead within four minutes as Mark Connolly met a Keith Ward cross, but Alan Mannus nailed it, touching the ball onto the bar.
Dundalk keeper Nathan Sheppard was called into action soon after, for it was by Lee Grace that he was forced to save from Byrne’s corner.
The post was his Sheppard moments later as the keeper denied Sean Gannon, who was taunted as Judas by the away fans, at close range before Dylan Watts saw his shot graze the woodwork.
Rovers upped the ante in the second half, and on the hour Hoops boss Stephen Bradley introduced three wise men in Aidomo Emakhu, Andy Lyons and Barry Cotter.
Their good works paid off six minutes later as Gary O’Neill controlled the ball and picked out Byrne to said to the playmaker: ‘on Yahweh.’
The Ballybough man stretched to control the ball and his second touch was godly, the Dundalk defence parting like the Red Sea as Mandroiu scampered through.
Ballymun man Mandroiu proved it’s easier to thread a ball through a goalkeeper’s legs than a rich man to get into heaven as he found the net.
Sub Emakhu was a thorn in the crown of the Dundalk defence as they chased the game and he went close to doubling the lead on the break, shooting just wide from a tight angle.
And it was the Clondalkin man who drew Brian Gartland into a late foul and he was shown a second yellow card, but he won’t be crucified.
Shamrock Rovers: Alan Mannus; Seán Hoare, Roberto Lopes, Lee Grace; Sean Gannon (Andy Lyons 62), Gary O’Neill, Dylan Watts (Richie Towell 78), Neil Farrugia (Barry Cotter 62); Jack Byrne (Chris McCann 84), Danny Mandroiu, Aaron Greene (Aidomo Emakhu 62).
Dundalk: Nathan Sheppard; Lewis Macari, Brian Gartland, Mark Connolly, Darragh Leahy; Sam Bone, Greg Sloggett (Patrick Hoban 72), Paul Doyle (Ryan O’Kane 79); Keith Ward (David McMillan 72), Joe Adams (Steven Bradley 62), Daniel Kelly (John Martin 79).
Referee: Ray Matthews.
