With three weeks to go in the League of Ireland Premier Division, nearly everything is still to play for. While Dundalk sit comfortably at the bottom of the table after weeks of will-they-won’t-they go into administration, everything else in the league is yet to be decided including the relegation playoff spot, the fight for Europe and that all important league title.
Starting towards the bottom of the table, we have the fight for safety. Drogheda United currently sit in 9th place on 33 points, 4 points behind Bohemians who also have a game in hand. Bohs have had a disappointing season. After sacking their manager Declane Devine in March they’ve failed to pick up any real momentum throughout the season under new manager Alan Reynolds. A strong Derry City side visited Dalymount Park to end Bohs’ cup final hopes last week, but the Dublin side took a point in a league clash away in Derry on Friday night meaning they’ll be confident of staying up.
To close the gap, Drogheda would need to pick up wins against both Shamrock Rovers and Shelbourne while relying on Bohs dropping points. This one will likely end up with The Drogs in that playoff game, which will juxtapose their FAI cup final appearance in The Aviva that same week.
European qualification means more than ever before in the League of Ireland. Not only does it come with huge financial rewards, but Shamrock Rovers have shown that qualification for the Conference League is very much possible for Irish clubs.
The Tallaght side are very much looking forward to their upcoming fixture away to Chelsea in Stamford bridge
Derry City should feel confident in European qualification at this point in the season. They currently sit third with a game in hand on the teams behind them. However, it’s The Candystripes’ potential FAI cup victory that would lend a European spot to fourth place that makes this race interesting. Galway United sit fourth with 50 points but both St Patricks Athletic and Sligo Rovers are behind them on 47 points with one less game played. Stephen Kenny’s St Pats side have 5 wins in their last 5 games and currently beat Galway on goal difference so will be eyeing up wins in their last four games of the season to take that spot. Crucially, Galway host St Pats on October 18th, a game that could decide fourth spot.
Sligo Rovers however are not to be ignored in this battle for Europe. They’re lacking in goal difference but equal on points and games played with St Pats. Their final two games of the season are away to Galway and at home to Pats so a good run of form could earn them their first European games since 2022. However, they’ll need to pick up a good result away to Derry this Monday to be in with that chance.
And finally, after four years of Shamrock Rovers domination, the League of Ireland trophy might just end up somewhere other than Tallaght this November
Rovers do remain firmly in the race, but it’s ‘Damien Duff’s Shelbourne’ who’ve been leading the way this season. Having sat top of the table for virtually the entire year, Shels have just one win in their last seven league games. This terrible run of firm has lead to Derry City now being in the driver’s seat as they sit 3 points behind Shels, but with a game in hand and a substantial lead in goal difference. The two teams face each other in Derry on the final day of the season in what very much could be the title decider.
Shamrock Rovers of course will look to spoil that final day title clash, but will rely on Derry and Shels dropping points to do so. If Derry win their game in hand, Rovers will sit two points behind their two competitors. However, Stephen Bradley’s side are in form and will be looking to secure their final nine points of the season against Drogheda, Dundalk and Waterford.
Whatever happens, this season is going to come right down to the wire - a welcome change for league of Ireland fans. RTÉ look set to broadcast a number of games between now and the final whistle on November 1, so if you’re not yet invested in Irish football, now might be the time to jump on the bandwagon.