Rovers finally end title wait with win over Galway
Shamrock Rovers secured the League of Ireland Premier Division title at the fourth attempt
- Published
Shamrock Rovers won their fifth League of Ireland Premier Division title in six seasons with a 1-0 win over Galway United on Wednesday evening.
The Dublin outfit had been on the cusp of securing the crown for over a month having been left needing just one more point after victory over Bohemians on 26 September.
Three defeats in succession, most recently against nearest challengers Derry City, however had ensured they would need to wait until their penultimate game of the campaign.
Against relegation-threatened Galway, it was another nervy night at Tallaght Stadium but Dylan Watts' 75th-minute free-kick finally eased the tension and allowed the celebrations to begin.
Galway now head to Waterford on the final day of the season needing to avoid defeat to be sure they will not feature in the relegation play-off.
Stephen Bradley's side conclude their league campaign at home to Sligo Rovers on Saturday but, with the title finally secured, attention will soon turn to the bigger games ahead.
Rovers are in Greece next Thursday to take on AEK Athens in the Uefa Conference League with the FAI Cup final against Cork City to be played back in Dublin just three days later.
Should the Hoops win that game against already-relegated Cork at the Aviva Stadium it would mean a first league and cup double since the 1986-87 season.