A thrilling title race reaches its conclusion this evening.
It’s been an unpredictable season and tonight is similarly tough to call.
There have been a few complicated permutations in recent weeks. But this evening is pretty simple to explain — Shelbourne will be crowned champions if they can equal or better Shamrock Rovers’ result against Waterford.
The Hoops are widely expected to beat Keith Long’s side, who will finish seventh in the table regardless of the outcome.
But it won’t be easy for Damien Duff’s men up in the Derry. The Candystripes saw their title chances die last week when they lost to St Pat’s.
Having looked in strong contention to challenge for the title for much of the season, Ruaidhrí Higgins’ men are in danger of finishing fourth.
They must win tonight and hope Stephen Kenny’s team slip up in Sligo to claim third place.
Johnny Kenny has slotted home early for Shamrock Rovers.
The Hoops are now top of the as-it-stands table.
That early development won’t do much to settle fans’ nerves.
1 Nov
7:54PM
7 mins – Early warning for Shelbourne.
Boyce gets a free header from a Duffy free kick but he can’t direct his effort on target.
1 Nov
7:57PM
Here’s a look at that fine Kenny finish on the counter-attack to give the hosts the lead at Tallaght.
Shamrock Rovers 1-0 Waterford: Johnny Kenny opens the scoring at Tallaght with just four minutes on the clock. There's a lot of football to be played but as things stand, Rovers are top.
Shamrock Rovers double their advantage and that is surely three points wrapped up in Tallaght.
Farrugia’s shot comes back off the crossbar but Watts is on hand to convert from close range.
Waterford aren’t doing them any favours so Shelbourne almost certainly need to win now.
1 Nov
9:04PM
Here’s a look at the second Rovers goal…
Shamrock Rovers 2-0 Waterford: The Hoops are doing their part as they double their lead. With the match between Derry and Shelbourne still scoreless, it's advantage Rovers in the title race.
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As it happened: Derry v Shelbourne, Shamrock Rovers v Waterford
Derry 0-1 Shelbourne
Shamrock Rovers 2-1 Waterford
Hello, and welcome to tonight’s liveblog.
A thrilling title race reaches its conclusion this evening.
It’s been an unpredictable season and tonight is similarly tough to call.
There have been a few complicated permutations in recent weeks. But this evening is pretty simple to explain — Shelbourne will be crowned champions if they can equal or better Shamrock Rovers’ result against Waterford.
The Hoops are widely expected to beat Keith Long’s side, who will finish seventh in the table regardless of the outcome.
But it won’t be easy for Damien Duff’s men up in the Derry. The Candystripes saw their title chances die last week when they lost to St Pat’s.
Having looked in strong contention to challenge for the title for much of the season, Ruaidhrí Higgins’ men are in danger of finishing fourth.
They must win tonight and hope Stephen Kenny’s team slip up in Sligo to claim third place.
Who do you think will be crowned champions this evening?
Poll Results:
If anyone is wondering, the official League of Ireland trophy is in Derry this evening.
Should Rovers triumph, the original League of Ireland trophy (last held aloft by Shelbourne in 2006) will be used in Tallaght.
Ex-players Mick Byrne and Pat Byrne will present the Rovers team with the title if they succeed in their five-in-a-row bid.
Here are the teams for the game in Derry…
And here are the teams for the game in Tallaght…
We’re underway…
SHAMROCK ROVERS 1-0 WATERFORD (KENNY 4)
Johnny Kenny has slotted home early for Shamrock Rovers.
The Hoops are now top of the as-it-stands table.
That early development won’t do much to settle fans’ nerves.
7 mins – Early warning for Shelbourne.
Boyce gets a free header from a Duffy free kick but he can’t direct his effort on target.
Here’s a look at that fine Kenny finish on the counter-attack to give the hosts the lead at Tallaght.
17 mins: Good chance for Shelbourne.
Liam Burt is played through on goal by a Paddy Barrett flick but the attacker pulls his shot wide.
22 mins – It’s been a pretty tight game at the Brandywell.
Shelbourne are playing with a degree of caution, which is understandable given what’s at stake.
23 mins – Duffy’s low shot is comfortably saved by Kearns after good work by Diallo.
Derry look up for this game, despite last week’s disappointing result.
29 mins – The ball falls for Duffy on the edge of the area.
However, the Derry attacker curls his effort a few inches over.
36 mins: Chances remain at a premium.
But Derry are controlling the game and look the more comfortable of the two teams.
37 mins: McMullan plays through Whelan but Kearns gets down well to make the save from close range.
Derry are looking most likely to break the deadlock.
40 mins: Tulloch squares it to Martin.
But the Shels attacker’s attempt is straight at Maher.
44 mins: Derry find themselves in another promising position but O’Reilly’s effort from distance is tame and easily saved by Kearns.
This game has yet to really come to life. Shels haven’t carried enough of a threat going forward.
HALF-TIME: DERRY 0-0 SHELBOURNE
HALF-TIME: SHAMROCK ROVERS 1-0 WATERFORD
It’s looking like Derry might have to settle for fourth as St Pat’s are 1-0 up in Sligo.
The second half has begun…
47 mins: Decent chance for Boyd.
He capitalists on a poor backpass but his finish from a tight angle is straight at Maher.
54 mins: Shelbourne have been better since the break.
They are getting more bodies forward and look more dangerous in the final third.
SHAMROCK ROVERS 2-0 WATERFORD (WATTS 53)
Shamrock Rovers double their advantage and that is surely three points wrapped up in Tallaght.
Farrugia’s shot comes back off the crossbar but Watts is on hand to convert from close range.
Waterford aren’t doing them any favours so Shelbourne almost certainly need to win now.
Here’s a look at the second Rovers goal…
60 mins: Shels make a double change.
Caffrey and Coote replace Coyle and Burt.
Moments later, the ball falls kindly for Tulloch on the edge of the area but he scuffs it wide.
Shortly thereafter, Boyd also sidefoots an effort a few inches wide under pressure from a couple of defenders.
65 mins: It’s Derry’s turn to make a change.
Whelan appears to have picked up a knock and is replaced by Patching.
SHAMROCK ROVERS 2-1 WATERFORD (AMOND 69)
It might not be over yet in Tallaght.
Padraig Amond has got on the end of a cross and produced a typically opportunistic finish.
It is the 14th goal of an incredible season for the 36-year-old.
72 mins: Moments after scoring, Amond almost does it again.
His header comes back off the crossbar.
74 mins: Changes for both sides now.
For Shels, Wood replaces Tulloch.
For Derry, Robertson, Davenport and McEleney replace Diallo, McMullan and Idehen.
As I type, Coote goes down in the area following a challenge by Conolly but the ref ignores Shels’ protests.
That looks the wrong call judging by the replay.
79 mins: Coote has made an impact since coming on.
He has just flashed a shot from the edge of the area wide by the narrowest of margins.
Meanwhile, in Tallaght, the dangerous Amond has threatened again, shooting a few inches over the bar.
Here’s a look at the Waterford goal…
DERRY 0-1 SHELBOURNE (WOOD 85)
Another twist!
Boyd’s free kick from the edge of the area takes a slight deflection.
Maher can only parry it and it falls kindly for Wood, who slots home from close range.
Shels have one hand on the title now.
89 mins: Shels make a change.
Martin is replaced by Griffin as the visitors look to hold onto their lead.
JJ Lunney has been named the official man of the match.
There haven’t been too many candidates tonight.
There will be seven minutes of stoppage time…
Derry are really applying the pressure here.
Shels have everyone in their half.
Davenport carelessly puts a simple pass straight out of play much to the hosts’ frustration.
Three minutes left and it is incredibly tense.
FULL-TIME: SHAMROCK ROVERS 2-1 WATERFORD
Wood has missed a glorious chance to seal the win for Shels.
Just a few seconds remain.
FULL-TIME: DERRY CITY 0-1 SHELBOURNE – SHELBOURNE ARE CHAMPIONS!
That’s that.
A brilliant end to an unforgettable season.
There are scenes of ecstasy among the players, staff and roughly 300 travelling fans.
“We dropped points when we shouldn’t have but all that matters is [getting] that trophy,” says JJ Lunney on RTÉ.
The man of the match adds that Damien Duff and his staff are “the best in the country”.
There was a watch-along of tonight’s match at Tolka Park, and unsurprisingly, that Wood goal went down well.
Right, that’s it from me for now.
Thanks for reading and commenting.
Stay tuned as we’ll have plenty more reaction on the site shortly.
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