On the face of it, there was nothing at stake. But in reality every game mattered today in the League of Ireland Premier Division.
Coming into the final day of the season, eight of the ten teams had something significant to play for. The only ones who did not, Shamrock Rovers and Cork City, play one another in next Sunday’s FAI Cup final.
And by the time the final whistle blew the biggest winners were Derry City, Bohs, Sligo Rovers and Galway; Waterford, St Pat’s and Drogheda the big losers.
First to Drogheda. They needed St Pat’s to draw with Shels to have any chance of a place in Europe.
They got their wish, Shels clearly the better side at Tolka Park, as they hit the woodwork twice against St Pat’s but could not find the net.
As for St Pat’s, this scoreless draw with Shels confines them to fifth and a season without European football next season. One of the early season favourites for the league, 2025 has been nothing short of disappointing for Stephen Kenny’s side.
It has been better for Tiernan Lynch’s Derry. They overcame a terrible start to the season to finish second, their 1-0 win over Cork, courtesy of Michael Duffy’s headed goal in the first half, means they have the runners-up spot.
The financial benefits of that will be known once the Cup final is over. If Rovers win next season, then Derry will go into the Europa League rather than the Europa Conference League, which means their minimum prize money will be €700,000 rather than €325,000.
So Duffy’s goal was one of the most valuable of his career.
Onto Drogheda. They needed to beat Bohs to qualify for Europe.
But Bohs were too strong. They won 4-1, James Clarke getting two of their goals, Colm Whelan and Ross Tierney the others.
Next came the relegation battle.
Cork were doomed but Waterford, Galway and Sligo all wanted to avoid the play-offs.
In the end, Sligo managed to do so, beating Shamrock Rovers 2-1 away from home, Oliver Denham with a first half header, Anthony Elding with a second half penalty, Mathews with a consolation for the champions.
That keeps Sligo safe and Stephen Walsh’s looping header keeps Galway safe. While Padraig Amond equalised, the reality remained that Waterford needed to win.
They failed to do so. Galway’s 1-1 draw in the RSC keeps them up.
As for Waterford, their attentions now turn to Treaty and Bray who play today in Athlone to see who progresses to the promotion/relegation final.
Waterford await the winners.
Final table
1: Shamrock Rovers
2: Derry City
3: Shels
4: Bohs
5: St Pat's
6: Drogheda
7: Sligo
8: Galway
9: Waterford
10: Cork
* Rovers are champs
* Derry and Shels are in Europe
* Bohs will join them in Europe if Rovers beat Cork in next Sunday's Cup final
* Waterford will play Bray or Treaty in the Cup final
* Cork are relegated but will qualify for Europe if they beat Rovers in next Sunday's Cup final
Bradley ready to rotate his team for Europe and Cup final
Stephen Bradley: "We did not perform as we should have last year. But it shows character in the group to come back and do it again this year.
"We are all about the group here. If you want to be successful, it cannot be about individuals. It is about the group and that will always be the case. There is no individual bigger than this club.
"We have had a busy schedule the last few weeks. The edge came off us a little. It is really important to get ready for Thursday and Sunday. We have Athens on Thursday; then the Cup final on Sunday. I genuinely believe we can qualify for Europe."
What it means
Champions: Shamrock Rovers
Europe: Derry and Shels
Waiting game: Bohs (who will get Europe if Rovers beat Cork in the Cup final)
Safe: Sligo and Galway
Play offs: Waterford
Relegated: Cork City
Full times
Shamrock Rovers 1-2 Sligo
Cork City 0-1 Derry City
Shels 0-0 St Pat's
Drogheda 1-4 Bohs
Waterford 1-1 Galway
Full times in Tolka and Drogheda
Shels 0-0 St Pat's
Bohs 4-1 winners over Drogheda
Which means ....
Derry end up second (and will get the Europa League if Rovers beat Cork in the Cup final)
Bohs are fourth
St Pat's finish fifth
Drogheda are sixth
Business end of games has arrived
Six minutes of injury time in Waterford. Still 1-1 there.
So it is Waterford for the play-offs, Derry for second; Bohs for fourth as things stand
Five minutes of injury time signalled at Tolka
So much to play for now for St Pat's. If they score, and win, they will be fourth. Right now, that spot is with Bohs who are beating Drogheda 4-1.
GOAL BOHS
Ross Tierney has made it 4-1. Bohs are flying. Surely they will finish fourth now?
Clarke's two goals rewarded
James Clarke named man of the match as Bohs hope to hang on to a 2-1 lead over Drogheda.
A near miss for Shels; a Cup final scare for Rovers
Mipo just wide for Shels from a free kick. There was a brief injury scare for Graham Burke who was down for a few minutes before hobbling off. At this stage, the guess is that he should be okay for the Cup final.
Shels on top
Shelbourne have been the better team at Tolka Park. Joe Redmond has been immense at the back for St Pat's. Saints need to get a winner from somewhere. Not looking good for them at the moment.
Mipo hits the crossbar for Shels
St Pat's need a goal; but it is Shels who nearly get it. Mipo hits the bar.
Latest scores and what it means
Cork 0-1 Derry
Shamrock R 1-2 Sligo
Shels 0-0 St Pat's
Waterford 1-1 Galway
Drogs 1-2 Bohs
So as things stand ...
Derry will get second and Europa League if Rovers win the Cup
Bohs will get fourth and Europe if Rovers win the Cup
Sligo and Galway will stay up
Waterford will head to the play-offs to play the winners of Treaty and Bray.
Interesting debutant for Shels
James Roche, the teenage son of the former Shamrock Rovers chairman, Jonathan Roche, has come off the bench to make his league debut for Shels.
No substitute for class
Double subs made by John Caulfield as Galway hope to hold on at the RSC. McCormack and Slevin come in for McCarthy and Hurley. Twenty minutes remain. As things stand, Galway are staying up, Waterford heading to the play-offs.
Wood near miss for Shels
Harry Wood shot was brilliantly saved by Anang. Had Mipo continued his run, he could have got the equaliser.
Rovers show their frustration
Kian was able
Brilliant break from Kian Leavy. Joseph Anang collected the Shels' corner and then bombed a brilliant ball forward which Leavy collected before beating McInroy with his pace. His shot cleared the crossbar.
St Pat's 0-0 Shels
Latest scores and what it means
Cork 0-1 Derry (Derry will finish second if they hold on)
Shels 0-0 St Pat's (Shels destined for third, St Pat's to finish fifth if the scores stay as they are)
Drogheda 1-2 Bohs (Drogs to miss out on fourth, Bohs to get it and then have the unusual situation of cheering on Rovers in the Cup final)
Shamrock Rovers 1-2 Sligo (Sligo to stay up)
Waterford 1-1 Galway (Galway to survive; Waterford to head to the play-offs if the scores stay as they are)
Goalmouth scramble, overhead kicks, but no goal
Drogheda came close to equalising. But after an almighty scramble, Bohs survived.
Shamrock Rovers score
Matthews gets one back for Shams.
It is now Shamrock Rovers 1-2 Sligo
Sligo, remember, just need a draw to stay up.
St Pat's struggling to get on top
While there are no goals at Tolka Park, the pace of the game between St Pat's and Shels is decent. Shels are enjoying more of the play; St Pat's need the win to keep their European hopes alive. So far, it is not happening for them. Shels 0-0 St Pat's
Sligo celebrate
Sligo appear to be safe
Elding scores it from the penalty spot. Sligo looking safe. A draw will be enough to keep them up.
They are 2-0 up.
