How Shamrock Rovers reclaimed League of Ireland crown despite slow start and slow finish

Had Derry City lost to Drogheda United, rather than drawing, the title would have been concluded in September with five games remaining.

CHAMPIONS AGAIN: Shamrock Rovers players and staff celebrate winning the 2025 League Premier Division title. Pic: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne.

Stephen Bradley began the season arguing with the Ireland manager and ended it with an accomplishment which turns him into a contender to become his successor.

In the bowels of the Aviva Stadium in mid-February, the Shamrock Rovers manager was angry.

Prefacing his rant at Heimir Hallgrimsson by insisting the opening day defeat to Bohemians was unconnected, he accused the Icelander of disrespecting the league he treasures.

An inference that the Rovers players progressing deep into the Conference League needed to leave Ireland for international recognition rankled.

It would take another six weeks before that civil war was resolved over a cup of coffee.

That 1-0 defeat in a novelty showcase 33,208 was the first of two losses in the opening three games.

That they would lose only twice over the next 28 league games — both to Bohemians — was the streak of form which put them in command to regain the crown they relinquished to Shelbourne in 2024.

Last year’s final day drama denied Rovers the immortality of winning five titles on the spin, hastening plans hatched at the Roadstone training ground to ensure they wouldn’t be dethroned for long.

Shamrock Rovers players celebrate winning the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division title. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile.

Slow starts are a common recurrence for the Hoops but this year’s was attributable to their schedule being devoid of the break.

Ireland’s summer season is out of sync with Uefa’s, meaning the gap between facing Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on December 19 and the start of the league militated against the traditional respite.

Harnessing the two seasons came also during the transfer window. Gone from the 2024 squad were Johnny Kenny, Darragh Burns, Neil Farrugia and Marcus Poom.

Into their places came fresh blood of Danny Grant, Matt Healy and Michael Noonan. They also addressed the legacy of Alan Mannus’s 2023 departure, recruiting Ed McGinty to challenge Leon Pohls in goal.

Adding striker John McGovern and midfielder Conor Malley in the summer window validated the running commentary that Rovers were capable of fielding two XIs without diluting quality.

Five wins in a row during May culminated with brushing off a well-resourced Derry City side 2-1, thanks for a late winner by local Foylesider Aaron McEneff.

Bohs were the only team to inflict defeat, though Galway United and Cork City each drew twice with the leaders.

Even when Bradley’s bunch seemed susceptible to glitches, none of their rivals were able to pounce.

St Patrick’s Athletic flattered to deceive, Derry City’s inconsistency cost them, Shelbourne’s European run was a distraction, thrusting Bohs into the role of unexpected challenger – albeit briefly.

It was hardly a title race. Not even them stumbling over the line changed that.

Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley celebrates with his son Josh. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile

At one point, the gap was seven points but the exertions of Rovers in hurdling three rounds of the Conference League to the league phase gave them two games in hand.

Once they ended their Bohs hoodoo by winning the last of the four meetings 2-1 in Tallaght last month, jeopardy was removed.

Indeed, had Derry City lost to Drogheda United that night, rather than drawing, the title would have been concluded in September with five games remaining.

Since then, Derry grabbing a late winner at Sligo Rovers and the Hoops losing to Shelbourne delayed the coronation.

It protracted again through defeats to St Pat’s and Derry, depriving them of the necessary point. Yet it was just a matter of when.

What’s noteworthy about them reclaiming their crown in the distribution of goals.

They hold the strongest scoring and defensive records statistically but no Rovers player has reached double-figures for league goals this term.

Six players are ahead of Graham Burke in the scoring charts, including Moses Dyer who left Galway United in June.

Bradley’s quest to frank their feat by matching or surpassing the record points margin of 19 held by Bohemians from 2008 was dented their uncharacteristic slump but they won’t mind peripheral accolades being missed in the context of the bigger picture of supremacy.

Back on top and there’s no argument about that.