Having said he would like to end his career with a stint in the League of Ireland, former Ireland winger Damien Duff ended months of speculation by agreeing an 18-month deal with Shamrock Rovers in July.
The 36-year-old made his Hoops debut the following month and while he hasn’t set the world alight, his arrival can only help in raising the profile of the domestic league.
Two more players with Premier League experience, Sean Thornton and Keith Treacy, both joined Drogheda United this season too, but the pair couldn’t help the Louth club avoid relegation.
While Bohemians enjoyed a positive season on the field, finishing fifth in the Premier Division under Keith Long, there was great news off it.
After tireless work by many involved with the club, Dublin City Council acquired Dalymount Park for €3.8 million and agreed to redelope it into a “a major sports, cultural and community amenity”.
Morgan Treacy / INPHO
Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO
‘Refugees Welcome’ mural
The North Dublin club also did its bit to support World Refugee Day with this painting at their ground.
As part of its Derby Days series, Copa 90 produced a mini-documentary looking at what it means to be part of the rivalry that is the derby between Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers.
Around the time of the same-sex marriage referendum back in May, Eoghan Rice made this excellent promo about the Premier Division title race for Soccer Republic.
Roy Keane and FAI high performance director Ruud Dokter were on-hand to launch the SSE Airtricity League u17 League, which aims to help develop footballers in Ireland by bridging the gap between schoolboy football and the U19s league.
Morgan Treacy / INPHO
Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO
Youths win the First Division title and promotion
With a couple of weeks to spare, Shane Keegan’s Wexford Youths team wrapped up the First Division and a ticket to the top flight, where they will compete for the very first time next season.
Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
Furlong can’t stop scoring
Youths striker Danny Furlong hit 30 league goals for the First Division champions.
Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
Richie Towell’s exploits
Another man who recorded his best ever tally was Dundalk’s free-scoring midfielder, who hit 25 league goals for the Lilywhites.
Morgan Treacy / INPHO
Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO
The Conroy Report
Sure, it has had its far share of critics, but hopefully Declan Conroy’s report on the state of the league leads to improvements across the board in the coming years.
Rooted to the bottom of the table for much of the campaign after picking up six points from the first 21 league games, the Blues pulled off a great escape on the final day of the season by claiming 23 points from a possible 30.
The job isn’t done, however, as Martin Russell’s men take a 1-0 advantage into their promotion/relegation play-off second leg against Finn Harps on Friday.
15 things we'll remember from the SSE Airtricity League season
UCD’s European adventure
RELEGATED TO THE First Division in 2014, the Students were awarded a place in the Europa League qualifying round after topping the Fair Play rankings.
Two goals from Ryan Swan saw Collie O’Neill’s side progress past Dudelange in the first round, before eventually going out to Slovan Bratislava.
Damien Duff arrives
Having said he would like to end his career with a stint in the League of Ireland, former Ireland winger Damien Duff ended months of speculation by agreeing an 18-month deal with Shamrock Rovers in July.
The 36-year-old made his Hoops debut the following month and while he hasn’t set the world alight, his arrival can only help in raising the profile of the domestic league.
Two more players with Premier League experience, Sean Thornton and Keith Treacy, both joined Drogheda United this season too, but the pair couldn’t help the Louth club avoid relegation.
Dalymount Park purchased
While Bohemians enjoyed a positive season on the field, finishing fifth in the Premier Division under Keith Long, there was great news off it.
After tireless work by many involved with the club, Dublin City Council acquired Dalymount Park for €3.8 million and agreed to redelope it into a “a major sports, cultural and community amenity”.
‘Refugees Welcome’ mural
The North Dublin club also did its bit to support World Refugee Day with this painting at their ground.
Anarchy in Ireland documentary
As part of its Derby Days series, Copa 90 produced a mini-documentary looking at what it means to be part of the rivalry that is the derby between Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers.
An Ode to the League of Ireland
Around the time of the same-sex marriage referendum back in May, Eoghan Rice made this excellent promo about the Premier Division title race for Soccer Republic.
U17 league gets going
Roy Keane and FAI high performance director Ruud Dokter were on-hand to launch the SSE Airtricity League u17 League, which aims to help develop footballers in Ireland by bridging the gap between schoolboy football and the U19s league.
Free kilt Friday
Ahead of the Euro 2016 qualifier between Ireland and Scotland over the summer, members of the Tartan Army were invited by St Patrick’s Athletic to take in some LOI football at Richmond Park for ‘Free Kilt Friday’.
Youths win the First Division title and promotion
With a couple of weeks to spare, Shane Keegan’s Wexford Youths team wrapped up the First Division and a ticket to the top flight, where they will compete for the very first time next season.
Furlong can’t stop scoring
Youths striker Danny Furlong hit 30 league goals for the First Division champions.
Richie Towell’s exploits
Another man who recorded his best ever tally was Dundalk’s free-scoring midfielder, who hit 25 league goals for the Lilywhites.
The Conroy Report
Sure, it has had its far share of critics, but hopefully Declan Conroy’s report on the state of the league leads to improvements across the board in the coming years.
Limerick’s remarkable revival
Rooted to the bottom of the table for much of the campaign after picking up six points from the first 21 league games, the Blues pulled off a great escape on the final day of the season by claiming 23 points from a possible 30.
The job isn’t done, however, as Martin Russell’s men take a 1-0 advantage into their promotion/relegation play-off second leg against Finn Harps on Friday.
Blues ‘sign’ Neymar
Okay, so that’s not entirely true. But this picture of 16-year-old Limerick striker Barry Cotter went viral in August due to his uncanny resemblance to Brazilian superstar Neymar.
Back-to-back titles for Dundalk
Under the guidance of Stephen Kenny, Dundalk clinched a second Premier Division title on the trot — a first for the Louth club.
What are your favourite memories of the season?
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