Nov 01,2024
The biggest night in the League of Ireland in a decade is here as Shelbourne look to clinch the league crown, knowing Shamrock Rovers are waiting in the wings to win a historic fifth league title in succession.
In many league seasons there is a clear winner, even if a table is tight, where one side looks like a champion in waiting.
Whether that can be said for either of these sides is up for debate. One thing that can't be contested is how entertaining the year has been.
Every side, perhaps excluding Dundalk, have had good periods and shown qualities within their team.
The defining aspect of Shelbourne could be losing two key men to other clubs in the middle of the season.
Series 1 and 2 was their dominant period where they were reeling off victories.
Will Jarvis was recalled by Hull City and Aberdeen, now riding high in Scotland, triggered a release clause for Gavin Molloy.
If they had kept those players, the race would likely be over.
Games such as the 0-0 draw with Sligo Rovers and two 1-1 draws with Bohemians, where they could have been won or lost, may have swung the Reds' way with extra attacking quality or their talisman at the back.
Injuries also were a factor and that was certainly the case for Shamrock Rovers earlier in the season.
They are undoubtedly at their strongest now.
Shelbourne are the front runners to land the League of Ireland title tomorrow, but defending champions Shamrock Rovers are ready to pounce if they slip up
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) October 31, 2024
Hear from Stephen Bradley and Damien Duff ahead of the decisive games @Corktod #RTESoccer pic.twitter.com/E3N4XRkkwf
Their clash with Waterford is unlikely to cause them too much trouble based on the Blues' form.
Earlier in the season Keith Long’s side scored three times in Tallaght to claim victory, something which encapsulated this unpredictable campaign.
That was a very different time and expectations are Stephen Bradley’s side should do their bit to put the pressure on Shels.
Despite their extended wobble, Damien Duff’s side remain in top spot.
Home games against Waterford and Drogheda arrived at the ideal time when they couldn't buy a win.
Now comes the question as to whether they are good enough to take maximum points away from home against a team around them in the table.
There are many factors at play in the game. Derry City had the resources and talent to win the league and ultimately came up short.
From being in a position to be number one, they are now out of the automatic European spots and must win the FAI Cup to be in the Conference League next year if St Patrick’s Athletic beat Sligo Rovers.
The Candystripes must focus on the FAI Cup final next week with injuries to key players hampering them in the run-in.
Ruaidhrí Higgins is likely to call on players who regularly start on the bench to play this game.
They will be competing for a spot in the starting XI at the Aviva Stadium next week, while the thoughts of a once title rival lifting the trophy on their home patch must also be a motivation not to just accept a defeat and move on.
Elsewhere there is little to play for except for Pat’s trying to secure third place.
Sligo Rovers and Galway United will battle it out for fifth spot in their respective games, while a dead-rubber of the Louth sides will also be played out.
All eyes are firmly on Derry and Tallaght.
Derry City may have been looking at this game where if they won they would be champions.
Two points from matches with Bohemians, Sligo Rovers and St Patrick's Athletic ended their challenge. They can have no excuses.
Shelbourne remain with same outlook. Duff's side have steadied the ship with two home wins to reach this scenario.
Now with the title just a victory away, the manager has attempted to keep everyone cool.
The Tolka Park side have spent over 15 years struggling, with just a couple of FAI Cup final losing appearances to cling to in that time.
It has been a long road back with Duff the unlikely hero.
He was by his own admission "an outsider" to the league when taking the job, before quickly becoming part of the fabric.
His presence has been a boon to the industry.
Duff has proved himself a talented manager and now stands on the verge of becoming a legendary figure at the club.
"I've put my heart and soul into it, not that I didn't as a player," he explained.
"Playing football was second nature to me, since I was that high, I had a football at my feet, so dribbling in an Irish jersey or on a Champions League night wasn't stress to me, it was just normal. Whereas this is totally out of the comfort zone stuff and the hardest thing I've ever done.
"I don't know, I've just invested so much in it. If we win the league, it's not about me lifting it, it's all about the players. They're one hell of a special group. Proper boys, proper men, guys that I'll stay in touch with for many years. I'd be so proud of them."
"If you'd offered me this position at the beginning, I guess I would have taken it. It's an amazing position we're in, going down to the last day of the season with everything in our hands. It's been brilliant, regardless of the rollercoaster ride for myself and other managers, it's been an exhilarating ride for the neutral. It's made the League of Ireland very relevant and very popular."
Patrick Hoban, Patrick McEleney and Ciaran Coll are just some of the injury concerns for Derry with Coll ruled out.
Ruaidhrí Higgins has said he will take no chances with his selection.
"Obviously we have some injury concerns following on from last week." he said. "Having said that we'll still have a good enough team on the pitch to try and win a game of football.
"We won't be taking unnecessary or silly risks. I don't think that would make any sense. We'll still have a really good team on the pitch and a team that's capable of winning the game."
For much of the season Shamrock Rovers have not shown why they are the dominant side of the League of Ireland this decade.
Despite that, they have shone in Europe and have pounced at the crucial time while they rivals floundered.
Over 9,500 fans will be present in Tallaght armed with smart phones and whatever else to find out what is transpiring in Derry.
Most importantly, they must take three points off Waterford and wait to see if they can create history.
Stephen Bradley has warned his players that tonight is not a formality.
Dundalk produced on their strongest performance in weeks to run the Hoops close last week and the Rovers manager is expecting something similar here.
"They beat us comfortably in Tallaght and gave us difficult games in Waterford, they’ve got good players, that’s obvious to see. I know their results haven’t been what they wanted recently but if you watch their games back, their performances have been good. So I’ve no doubt they’ll come to Tallaght tonight with all eyes on trying to win the game. So we’ve got to be at it, if we’re not at our levels, it doesn’t matter what happens anywhere else. We have to perform to win the game.
"These players have built up experience throughout the years to know it's just the next game. Winning the next game, the next challenge, so that’s what this is. Confidence is high, the players are in a good place, so we’ll do everything possible to win the game."
This is not the end of their year with a European match to come as soon as next Thursday.
Rory Gaffney and Sean Hoare remain out injured, Dan Cleary is suspended, while Danny Mandriou is doubtful. Seán Kavanagh returns.
Keith Long is without the services of Kyle White (hamstring) & Adam Queally (groin). Sam Glenfield (ankle) is a doubt, after picking up a knock late on against Bohemians last week at the RSC.
Sligo Rovers v St Patrick's Athletic, The Showgrounds, 7.45pm
The extraordinary turnaround by St Patrick's Athletic under Stephen Kenny can be completed tonight with victory enough to guarantee a place in the Europa Conference League in 2025.
There was a small disappointment last week when Shelbourne's win over Drogheda ruled the Saints out of the title race.
Nevertheless, securing third place tonight would be a fabulous start to Kenny's first season in Richmond Park, with the prospect of a tilt of a challenge for the trophy to come next season as well.
One possible turning point in their season was a controversial penalty in the previous meeting of these sides.
Luke Turner fell backward to the ground in front of Sligo's Ellis Chapman with minimal contact, as Rob Hennessy pointed to the spot.
That was a setback for the Bit O' Red and helped the Saints take 28 points out of a possible 30.
It was the quality and performances that really helped Pat's overhaul Sligo in the last few weeks.
John Russell's side have lost their momentum with injuries to key players such as Wilson Waweru and Chapman, as well as the sale of Nando Pijnaker to Auckland FC, coming at the worst possible times.
Russell has implemented an admirable style of football with the club and they played well in the first half in Galway last week, eventually holding out for a 2-2 draw.
Sligo can still finish fifth if they earn a victory tonight and their Connacht neighbours lose in Dublin.
Manager John Russell wants to finish on a high: "People may think we don't have much to play for on Friday but we are desperate to finish the season on a high note and try and get that fifth spot.
"Pat's are in stunning form at the moment and can easily turn over any team in this division, but we'll be well prepared. We want to finish things on a positive note going into the off-season and we know we have more than enough about us to pick up a win."
Drogheda United v Dundalk, Weavers Park, 7.45pm
For many months this game looked like it could be a potential decider in the automatic and play-off positions regarding relegation.
Dundalk claimed all three points in July and it seemed they were best placed to give themselves the chance of salvation.
But they failed to win a single game since that clash, drawing three of the 11 games.
United had a far superior transfer window and as well as avoiding bottom place, they have a FAI Cup final to come.
Kevin Doherty did rotate his squad last week and perhaps the strength of their bench, compared to the likes of Dundalk, showed itself as they ran the league leaders close.
With the Cup final a week away and the play-off six days later, Doherty may make multiple changes again with a view to being fresh for the two most important games of the year.
Dundalk's 2024 squad will play their final game and their future is far from certain.
Starting next year in the First Division would be an achievement in itself as they face a host of off-field challenges to come.
Jon Daly will resign after the game as he returns to Scotland, having signalled his intention a long time out.
He wants to give their supporters something to cheer about.
Bohemians v Galway United, Dalymount Park, 7.45pm
Galway United have missed out in the race for a European place, looking back with huge regret on conceding a 94th minute goal to Dundalk last month.
The fact there is a tinge of negativity at this stage of the year shows just what an outstanding job John Caulfield has done on their return to the Premier Division.
They can secure a top half finish with a point in Dublin.
Caulfield knows how tough it will be to repeat such an excellent year in 2025.
They can enjoy one last game in this campaign, aiming to earn a second victory in Dalymount having already come away with three points back in the summer.
In contrast Alan Reynolds may have been waiting for this year to finish to bring forward his plans for the Bohs squad.
The Gypsies have at least finished a difficult year with some positive results, winning in Sligo and being denied a follow-up victory with an injury-time equaliser.
Bohemians will have the same squad to choose from as last week, with Rob Cornwall, Leigh Kavanagh, Ross Tierney, Keith Buckley, James McManus and James Akintunde all still unavailable for selection.
Reynolds said: "Work has already started on our plans for next season. We have a lot of work to do to make the improvements necessary to push on as a club.
"Players will obviously move on and we have identified the priority areas where we need to strengthen. We have big players coming back too."
