Shamrock Rovers look for their 22nd title while the race for Europe proves fascinating
By Aaron Behan
Fans are now gearing up for an exciting culmination to this season’s SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division as the run-in kicks into gear.
With just ten games remaining, Shamrock Rovers appear in pole position to bring a fifth league title in six years back to Tallaght after Shelbourne's memorable triumph last year, but the job is not done yet as the prospect of fixture congestion from European and Sports Direct Men's FAI Cup campaigns presents its own challenges.
This will provide for interesting viewing in the coming weeks as Derry City, Bohemians, and Drogheda United all aim to close the gap, whilst avoiding advancing Shelbourne and St. Pats sides gearing up to move into the European positions.
Things are also becoming increasingly fascinating on the other end of the table, as a string of poor results for Galway United have given some hope to both Sligo Rovers and Cork City, who just weeks ago seemed certain to finish in the bottom two.
The Title Race
Following last week’s convincing 2-0 win against Derry City, with Rory Gaffney starring, Shamrock Rovers sit 10 points clear of long-time rivals Bohemians, who themselves suffered a frustrating loss to the ever-defensively solid Drogheda United last week.
This set of results could not have worked out better for Stephen Bradley's side, who now seem heading to win the league. The job, however, is far from finished, and there is one clear threat to their campaign.
The threat of fixture congestion is apparent. With the Hoops aiming to qualify for the UEFA Conference League proper, they need to learn from the poor run of form they suffered around the time of their UEFA Conference League crash out to Molde and the start of the season in February and around their Qualifying games last season.
Facing losses to Bohs and Sligo Rovers and a draw with Shels in the weeks surrounding the Molde tie whilst also recovering from an elongated European campaign in 2024 shows that Europe can impact Rovers’ league performances.
If successful in the Third Qualifying Round and subsequent Play-Off with Santa Clara or Larne, Shamrock Rovers would have an additional six European matches left to play before the end of the domestic season, as well as a potential four in the Sports Direct Men's FAI Cup. Consistency and focus on the league front will be key for Shamrock Rovers in this crucial period, as well as utilising their squad depth.
It will take something remarkable as a result of this fixture congestion to stop it, but the Hoops look set to avenge their league title loss to Shelbourne last season.
Race for Europe
Remaining top four teams in Bohemians, Derry City and Drogheda United will all see this European period as an opportunity to gain ground on the league leaders, with all three sides having only the league and domestic cup to focus on. The goal will of course be to finish within the top three regardless, with fourth spot uncertain depending on the results of the Cup.
Bohemians have had an impressive season overall, but recently have entered a poor run of form involving just one win in their last five, and will have to regain the belief that grabbed them five goals after the 85th minute back in April, solidifying Dublin Derby wins at St. Pat's and Shamrock Rovers, as well as a win in Cork. Their final two fixtures versus Shels and Drogheda could have huge ramifications on the European front.
Derry City lie just one point behind Bohemians, with the two to face off once more this season at Dalymount. New signing Dipo Akinyemi could prove crucial at this late stage, as he looks to build on his powerful debut goal against Bohs at the Brandywell.
Drogheda United’s defensive stability which saw them lead the league after 14 weeks has put the team most tipped for relegation at the start of the season in an impressive fourth place, only behind Derry on goal difference. A three-match run of St. Pats, Shamrock Rovers, and Shels will likely decide Drogheda’s fate. Last season’s Cup winners, who themselves were ruled out of Europe in disappointing circumstances this season, have a great chance of qualifying again this year via league position.
Although the three above teams have bridged a slight gap from the rest of the pack, they will still be looking over their shoulders at Shelbourne and St. Pats, themselves in the middle of European qualification runs.
Joey O’Brien has injected a new energy into a Shels side which seemed stagnant earlier in the season, with the Reds picking up important wins in their last two games. Their next two league fixtures will prove crucial, against number one and two Shamrock Rovers and Bohemians. Any points picked up in these fixtures for Shels could change the title and European picture both for themselves and others.
St. Pats will need a late revitalisation in order to finish in a European spot, where they have won just one in five. It is clear to see the quality in the squad, with Tottenham-bound Mason Melia, and the always consistent Chris Forrester, amongst others. It is not completely out of the question, as seen by a late nine-game win streak last season, but Stephen Kenny will have to do something special to spur his side into the European race.
Fight for Survival
Things are also heating up at the bottom end of the table. Just a few weeks ago it seemed certain that Cork City and Sligo Rovers would finish in the bottom two, but recent results have given both sides a sliver of hope. Galway have struggled massively in the absence of their former Talisman, Moses Dyer. Since his red card at Sligo, followed by his abrupt and somewhat unexpected exit to the Cambodian league, Galway are winless in five. (1D, 4L).
Should Galway continue to fall down this spiral, Sligo Rovers appear to have a good chance of avoiding the relegation playoff, as just three points separate the sides. There are still eight points separating Cork from a chance of survival, which given their recent form seems to be a Herculean task.
As it stands, it seems it will be a late battle between Galway United and Sligo Rovers to avoid the Play-Off, with Cork City needing nothing short of a miracle to avoid a tenth-place finish.
