As the final whistle blows on the 2024 League of Ireland season, fans and clubs alike are looking back on an intense and memorable season. Bill Schmitz reviews the year of Irish Premier Division Football.
Shelbourne have secured their first League of Ireland title in 18 years, marking a remarkable turnaround for the club. Under Damien Duff’s management, they started the season strong with six wins and a draw. However, the latter part of the season saw them struggle, winning one in ten, raising concerns about their ability to hold onto their lead.
A 2-0 loss to Shamrock Rovers at the beginning of October dealt a massive blow to Shelbourne’s momentum, and gave hope to Rovers fans. The defeat, marked by goals from Jack Byrne and Neil Farrugia, highlighted the high stakes of the final stretch of the season. Damien Duff chose to remain focused on his side's objective: “If we win all three games, we’ll be crowned champions of this country,” he declared, urging his players to press on despite the setback.
Shels responded with a 3-1 win over Waterford, followed by a 2-1 win against Drogheda United. But with Shamrock Rovers finding consistency, 2 points separated the sides going into the last game. Fans across the country were thrilled to be seeing a rare, final-day title showdown - Shel’s were 2 points ahead of Rovers, but with a worse goal difference, they needed a win away to FAI Cup finalists Derry City.
Rovers took the lead early against Waterford in Tallaght Stadium, and for the first time, they found themselves top of the table. As news spread to Shels, tensions rose and the fans urged their team forward. It took until the 85th minute for Shels to get their title winning goal. Harry Wood was the man to deliver Shelbourne their first League of Ireland Premier Division title since 2006.
“We totally deserved to win the league and the best team is the winner,” said an ecstatic Damien Duff after Mark Coyle, Shelbourne's captain, lifted the trophy.
Race for Europe
The fight for European qualification was just as fierce this season, with several teams fighting for 2nd and 3rd place - Europa Conference League qualification.
Derry City fell short at the final hurdle, despite being in a strong position throughout the season. Finishing fourth after consecutive 1-0 losses to St Patrick's Athletic and Shelbourne, they finished the season extremely disappointed to have not qualified for Europe.
It was Stephen Kenny’s St Patrick’s Athletic who truly stood out, finishing the season on a high note with an impressive nine league wins in a row. This remarkable streak not only secured their European qualification in 3rd place, but also highlighted their potential to compete for the title next year.
The importance of European qualification cannot be understated. For instance, Shamrock Rovers’ participation in the Europa Conference League group stages in 2024 earned them approximately €4.4 million, significantly boosting their financial standing.
As champions, Shelbourne will get to compete in the First Qualifying Round of the UEFA Champions league, whereas Rovers (2nd) and Pats (3rd) compete in the same round of the Conference League - as do the winners of the FAI Cup.
Relegation Battle
At the other end of the table, a tumultuous season culminated in automatic relegation for 10th place Dundalk. After years of success, the club found itself at the bottom, grappling with inconsistency and poor performances. Managerial changes and financial difficulties added to the instability. It was even reported that Dundalk were unable to pay their players and staff for periods during the season.
Their relegation was confirmed following a 2-0 loss to Derry City in October. The disappointment was palpable among supporters who have witnessed the club’s decline from its previous heights. Jon Daly departed the club, with former player Ciarán Kilduff replacing him as manager. “We have to take this as a learning experience. The club has faced significant challenges, but I believe we can come back stronger,” Kilduff stated in his first interview as manager.
Drogheda United concluded their season in 9th place. This required them to participate in a promotion/relegation play-off against Bray Wanderers on November 16th. Drogheda however managed to survive after a convincing 3-1 win in Tallaght Stadium was enough to keep the Drogs in the Premier Division.
FAI Cup
Not only have Drogheda managed to stay in the Premier Division, they also ended the season with victory in the country’s most coveted cup.
Becoming the first part-time team to win the FAI Cup in 20 Years, Kevin Doherty’s men beat Derry City 2-0 in the Aviva Stadium, a game that will not only cement itself in Drogheda United History, but also one that led to the departure of Derry City manager Ruadhri Higgins after over three years at the helm.
Drogheda now join Shamrock Rovers and St Patrick’s Athletic in the qualification rounds for next year's UEFA Conference League.
Looking Ahead
The League of Ireland’s rising attendances signal a promising future for Irish domestic football. With over half a million fans attending fixtures by June 2024, a record-breaking milestone, the league’s popularity is undeniable. Average attendances reached 3,790 this season, a growth of approximately 15.4% compared to 3,285 last season.
Shamrock Rover’s European success also marks a significant improvement in the quality of Irish football. With the introduction of the UEFA Conference League, there is an opportunity for Irish clubs to secure crucial points in the coefficient rankings. Ireland’s current position (36th) allows for a limited number of entries into European tournaments. With consistent and successful performances, Ireland could climb up the ranks and secure more qualification spots and better seeding in future tournaments.
The 2024 season has highlighted the potential of Irish football, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting 2025 season. As interest in the league continues to grow, it’s a perfect time for fans, both old and new, to engage with and support their local clubs.
For insight on the Irish First Division and how UCDAFC got in in 2024, pick up a copy of Issue 3 of The University Observer.