Record crowd celebrates the four-in-a-row
SHAMROCK Rovers iced their cake with a commanding 4-1 victory over Sligo Rovers last Friday night, gloating their fourth consecutive League of Ireland premier division title reports Rory Merriman.
Pageantry and ceremony abounded in Tallaght Stadium as a record 8,021 fans celebrated the Hoops’ 21st Premiership Division Title triumph from the stands, following strict instructions not to invade the pitch, following pandemonium in Richmond Park the week before.
It was a bittersweet evening in Tallaght stadium as the Hoops bid farewell to lionised club stalwarts, Alan Mannus and Captain Ronan Finn in what has been a decorative career for both in a green and white shirt.
Despite controversy in Turner’s Cross on Monday, Sligo Rovers conscientiously credited Shamrock Rovers with a traditional guard of honour, applauding the Hoops players and families before kick-off.
An early goal from Sligo’s Kailin Barlow in the eighth minute threatened to dampen the night’s mood, however normality was restored as Graham Burke, Dylan Watts (2) and Aaron Greene found the net to finish in unsurprising Shamrock Rovers fashion.
The final score finished at 4-2 with a consolation goal from Sligo’s Fabric Harmann in the 80th minute.
Celebrated as the only club to ever win four consecutive premiership division titles, the victorious Rovers players were hit with a sense of deja vu as they collected their medals and jubilantly lifted the trophy one after the other.
Speaking with Shamrock Rovers media amid celebrations, Hoops manager Stephen Bradley, spoke of Mannus and Finn as “Two people that came in that helped drive and set the culture of the club.
Incredible people and top footballers.
Two people that will be missed forever at this place.”
Beneath the dark, winter sky of Dublin 24, the raucous home crowd honoured Bradley and his valiant army as they embarked on a celebratory lap of honour around the stadium.
Amidst chants, photo-taking and jubilant revelry, the Shamrock Rovers players proudly raised and paraded the trophy around the stands of Tallaght Stadium, sharing the joyous moment with their dedicated fans.
Following the illustrious path of Rovers icon, John Coady and the legendary 1980s four-time champions, the 2023 Shamrock Rovers team will now join the elite table at the end of season functions and award ceremonies, commemorating and sharing the legacy of their predecessors’ remarkable achievements.
Derry City welcomed St Patricks Athletic to the Brandywell Stadium last Friday where they cruised to a 3-0 victory, securing the spot of second place in the league.
Shelbourne FC defeated Drogheda to secure themselves fourth place on the table and a coveted spot in European football next season.
St Pats clinched third place in standings.
UCD were relegated from the Premiership Division finishing with 11 points, while Cork City face Waterford on Friday, November 10 in Tallaght stadium to decide who will play in the premiership division next season.
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