League of Ireland Premier Division Final Day: What's At Stake?

Here at Football Park we're going to have a rundown through all the crucial matches on the final day in Ireland's topflight and let you know what's at stake.

Relegation Worries

Unfortunately for Dundalk, they have already been confirmed as relegated, heading into the final game with just five wins, 20 losses and 10 draws across 35 games. Over the course of those games, they conceded a total of 50 goals, the second worst number of goals let in throughout the whole league.

The title of the worst belongs to Drogheda United, who sit a place above Dundalk in the relegation qualification spot. This means that they will go head to head against at team in the League of Ireland First Division to see which out of the two teams will come out victorious and either remain in their current league or see relegation, in Drogheda’s case, and promotion in the case of the First Division side.

Both of these sides, Dundalk and Drogheda, their fate has been confirmed so no matter the result in their final games, it is mathematically impossible for them to avoid some sort of relegation.

Crowning A Champion

It is going down to the wire tomorrow as two teams still have a chance to lift the League of Ireland Premier Division trophy. The standings obviously have them first and second but the gap between them is just a measly two points.

It all comes down to this Friday where the 𝗥𝗲𝗱𝘀 will take on Derry City in the final game of the season 🔴

⚽️ | Derry City
📆 | November 1st
⏰ | KO 7:45pm
📍 | Ryan McBride Brandywell
📺 | Live on RTE 2
🎟️ | 7pm Tuesday (ST Holders)#DublinsFinest | #Since1895 pic.twitter.com/9vauOs31PG

— Shelbourne FC (@shelsfc) October 29, 2024

First place Shelbourne have gone through their 35 games so far with a record of 16 wins, seven losses and 12 draws. They have had the best defence in the league, only conceded 27 goals all season. With a points tally of 60, they will need a win on the final day. They would lose the title on goal difference if they were to lose, and second place were to win. Despite being fantastic on the defensive side, they have not scored enough goals for them to be safe with losing tomorrow.

The team chasing the title from second place are the current reigning champions as well as the all time winning team in the League of Ireland Premier Division, Shamrock Rovers. They have achieved the same number of wins as Shelbourne in 16 but they have lost nine times and drawn 10 times, leaving them with 58 points. The ways that they can win the title are if Shelbourne lose and Shamrock win or if Shelbourne draw and Shamrock win. A draw for Shamrock Rovers would not be enough to clinch the title for a record breaking 22nd time.

How Likely Is It For Either Shelbourne Or Shamrock Rovers To Win?

Since the customary tradition of all the games on the final day of the season will take place at the same time, neither side will know who has come out on top until the final whistle.

Shelbourne have an away trip to face fourth placed side Derry City. Like Shamrock, they have scored 48 goals over the course of 35 games. They will be given the challenge of trying to break past the mighty Shelbourne defence. In the three times that these two sides faced off against each other in the league this season, neither team could be crowned a winner, three draws the outcome. For Shelbourne’s sake, they will be praying that they can finally get their first win over them this season at the most crucial time.

SOLD OUT!

The Finale @tallaghtstadium tomorrow is officially sold out. Close to 10,000 supporters will be there.

See you tomorrow ☘️ pic.twitter.com/DHaq9BH6GL

— Shamrock Rovers FC (@ShamrockRovers) October 31, 2024

Shamrock Rovers have been given the matchup of Waterford FC at home. Waterford have been struggling recently, unable to win in their last five games. Shamrock have won twice out of the three meetings so far this season, giving them a good chance that they’ll be victorious once more. In both teams previous five matches, Shamrock have put the ball in the back of the net nine times, outweighing Waterford’s three.

Personal Accolades

Not only is the title on the line, but there are a few personal awards still left to be won as well. The Golden Boot race has two realistic candidates and one outside chance given there is one game to go until the season is over.

Derry City’s Patrick Hoban is the current leader on 14 goals. In second place is Waterford’s Padraig Amond on 13 and Shamrock’s Johnny Kenny is on 12. It is a bit of a tall order to ask him to score a hattrick and hope none of his other two opponents don’t score but we are going to make the assumption that Kenny would rather have his hands round the league title.