Everything is still to play for as we enter the final ten rounds
As League of Ireland Clubs work through their 2026 European journeys, focus is turning now to the climax of the title race, fight for survival, and next year’s European places.
Here’s the five things to look out for with just ten Rounds to go in the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier & First Divisions with only nine to go in the SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division.
Can either Bohs or Saints hunt down the Champions?
With Shamrock Rovers hoping to secure their place in the League Phase of European competitions, the stage was set for St. Pat’s to launch their bid for the 2026 title but with draws against Waterford, Dundalk and Derry City, Stephen Kenny will be left ruing a missing opportunity to close the gap to the top.
Confirming a European position will still be seen as an improved season, but with Shamrock Rovers having lost five games this season, there might be an opportunity for someone to lay their claim to the throne.
Bohemians have been playing some exhilarating football under Alan Reynolds and delivered a good performance against Galway United on Sunday after their European heroics but still only got a point against a dogged Caulfield team when all three would have closed the gap to their South Dublin rivals.
With Derbies still to come and The Hoops looking to go far in Europe again, the next few weeks will be fascinating to see if either can put the run together that’s needed to bring the race to the wire.
The fight for survival is anyone’s guess
The bottom four as we stand in the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division are possibly the strongest sides that have been there at this stage of the season compared with previous years.
Sligo Rovers who occupied the bottom spot have still pulled off big results like the away win in Tallaght, while Waterford are one of the form teams in the League under Graham Coughlan.
Drogheda United continue to be one of the toughest teams in the Division as ever under Kevin Doherty and Galway United have secured vital points in recent weeks as John Caulfield pulls on all of his experience to secure top flight football again next season.
Sligo Rovers meet Waterford on Virgin Media Two in coming weeks in what’s sure to be a thrilling battle with survival on the line. This will be just one of a few six pointers between now and the end of the season and no one will be going down without a fight.
Dundalk, Shels and Derry City fight on for European chances
While Shels and Derry City have suffered difficult seasons compared to where they would have liked have been at this stage of the season, Dundalk have been the surprise package this year and currently occupy the possible European spot in fourth.
Some variables have entered the equation, with Arubi and Eoin Kenny departing Oriel Park while both Shels and Derry City have entered new managerial eras.
All three still have to meet each other but all three sides will need to put a run together to get themselves best placed to benefit from any fourth European spot depending on the Cup outcome.
The Play-Off race is hitting fever pitch
While Cork City are entering the home straight on their return to the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division at the first time of asking, the drama lies in the Play-Offs this season as Kerry and Longford Town hit form at the right time.
Kerry’s Sean McGrath, Cian Murphy and Vincent Borden have helped Colin Healy’s men to some impressive results while Longford Town’s young squad have been playing some exciting football and picking up the results to boot.
With Bray Wanderers and UCD slipping up too recently it’s perfectly poised to see who ends up where as Wexford and Cobh Ramblers also are still fighting with every regard to get their place in the Play-Off Series.
Second will play fifth, with third pitted against fourth with the winners of those two Semi-Finals meeting for the right to play the 9th placed team in the top flight.
Thrilling title race in the WPD
The title race in the SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division looks set to go down to the wire as Athlone Town fight to keep their throne at the top of the women’s game here.
Galway United had been enjoying an unbeaten and remarkable season so far until Wednesday night’s defeat to Bohemians saw them miss the chance to go top and also reintroduce Shels to the equation who are now backed by the signings of Bella Flocchini and Katie McCarn.
We’re set for a three way fight to the end with the trio of contenders all facing each other again before the end of the season including Galway United hosting Shels on the Final Day.
Athlone Town have once again been looking strong but having dropped points to both Galway United and Shels so far this season, we are seeing one of the closest title races in years with LOITV and TG4 there to bring you all the action live.
