Derry City, Shamrock Rovers and surprise challengers Shelbourne set for title race for the ages
At the League of Ireland launch in February at Vicar Street, there was palpable excitement around the various rooms in the famous old Dublin venue. Any new season will bring a sense of energy and as the League has been growing at unprecedented rates over the past couple of years, the buzz has been growing every single game.
All the talk was whether Shamrock Rovers were set for a history breaking fifth title in five attempts and who was going to be challenging Stephen Bradley’s men.
Was it going to be Jon Daly’s men in Inchicore? St. Pat’s had secured the Sports Direct Men’s FAI Cup in November and had a busy transfer window bringing in the likes of Marcelo Pitaluga and Ruairi Keating amongst others.
Or would it be last season’s League Runners Up Derry City who would finally go that extra step following their Cup win in 2022 and pushing Rovers close in 2023 while they steadily built with the addition of Pat Hoban.
There’s no doubt that Derry City have put themselves in the fight and look set to be in the mix right until the end but fast forward to June and we have the prospect of one of the most exciting title races in years.
Indeed, few would have mentioned Damien Duff’s Shelbourne to be in the mix but as we approach the final round of games before the summer break, the Reds sit two points clear of Derry City with a game less played and a further nine points clear of Shamrock Rovers who have played one game less than Shels.
A run of six wins in a row in the first Round of games gave comparisons of 2023 when Bohemians started off strong before fading.
However, after a May which saw a thrilling last minute winner in Inchicore to beat the Saints for the third time this year and then going to Tallaght and shocking the Champions 2-0, pundits and fans are starting to think this Shels side could go the distance.
With European teams having two Rounds moved forward, Shels have already faced St. Pat’s and Shamrock Rovers three times each with five wins out of the six leaving a draw against Rovers the only points dropped in Tolka when they were reduced to ten men before Chicken Fillet-gate erupted.
This leaves the North Dubliners with a fair portion of their season played and will head into the transfer window knowing what’s needed to improve an already growing team.
Though Shamrock Rovers have dropped since last season and already have the same amount of defeats as they did in the entirety of 2023, it’s the fall of St. Pat’s that is perhaps most notable.
A change of Manager has ensued but Saints fans do harbour hope for the future after the arrival of former Republic of Ireland Manager Stephen Kenny. Pat’s fans will know it will take time but there is no doubt that disappointment lingers after an off-season where most fans would have been talking about a title challenge.
The Saints will have their Cup defence to start in July away to Derry City but Stephen Kenny will surely be busy in the summer window to try begin to put his stamp on the Richmond Park outfit.
Their Cup opponents will be reasonably happy, however, with their return so far. Derry City have had to manage injuries at various points of the 2024 season but are just two points behind Shels.
There has been disappointments like the defeats at home to Galway United and Shamrock Rovers and conceding a late equaliser at home to Shels felt like a pivotal moment but with Colm Whelan about to return, Derry City will no doubt go the distance in this year’s title race.
With experience in previous seasons of the run-in, they may be able to tap into those games and go one step further this year but the pressure is firmly on Shamrock Rovers now to retain their crown.
A myriad of injuries and indifferent form leaves the Hoops where they are but nobody will be discounting Stephen Bradley’s history makers who have clearly been there, done that.
