Shamrock Rovers secure sixth League of Ireland Premier Division title in seven years

Stephen Bradley's side retained their crown as they thrashed Sligo Rovers in Tallaght while Bohemians were beaten by Shelbourne

CHAMPIONS AGAIN: Shamrock Rovers’ Aaron Greene celebrates scoring his side’s third goal of the game. Pic: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne.

Shamrock Rovers 4 Sligo Rovers 0

Shamrock Rovers' domestic dominance continued as they were crowned champions for the sixth time in seven seasons with a comfortable home win over Sligo Rovers.

First half Adam Brennan Brace followed by Aaron Greene and Dylan Watts sharp second half finishes meant the league title would remain in South Dublin for another season as Stephen Bradley’s men brought the curtain down on their home campaign in style.

The visitors, who suffered a deflating last minute concession at home to Dundalk a week previous, were looking for any green shoots to take into next season and boasted the record of the last team to defeat The Hoops at Tallaght in the league - coincidentally their last league win of the campaign - but they were just outclassed on the night despite trying their best to spoil the party.

Still winless under Darren Purse, they could have fallen behind within the first few minutes. As a half-cleared corner kick was kept alive by Graham Burke who then put the ball on a plate for his skipper Pico Lopes but from all of a couple of yards out, the World Cup hero saw his scuffed effort miraculously saved by the feet of stopper Liam Hughes.

Having weathered the early storm, it was the visitors who then forged the clearest opening of the game. The exciting left winger Jack Sherrock delivered a dangerously whipped ball across the face of goal to find Kaiyne Woolery at the back post but unfortunately for the Londoner, who got two bites of the cherry, he failed to sort his feet and convert with the goal at his mercy.

Shamrock Rovers supporters celebrate during the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division match between Shamrock Rovers and Sligo Rovers at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Having been let off the hook, and dominating much of the possession as expected, it took until six minutes before the break for the hosts to get in front when Adam Brennan popped up unmarked from a deep cross out on right to finish from close range which settled the 8,023 in attendance at a chilly Tallaght.

Three minutes later PFA Young Player of the Year Brennan was Johnny-on-the-spot to sweep home his second in quick succession after PFA Player of the Year Graham Burke waved that magic wand of a left foot to produce a perfectly weighted low cross.

Hoops fans, who were also keeping an eye on proceedings at Dalymount and saw that Bohemians were being held by rivals Shelbourne at the break, knew they were just 45-minutes away from their 23rd League title.

With nothing to lose, Purse unloaded a couple of extra attackers in the shape of Cian Kavanagh and Luke Pearce to make life uncomfortable for the reigning champions.

Although the changes kept the Shamrock Rovers rearguard somewhat occupied, former Sligo stopper Ed McGinty remained untested. But just like the first half, another two goals in two minutes broke Sligo hearts even further.

Looking for his hat-trick, Brennan took on all-comers as he entered the area but after he saw his strike deflect up into the air, Greene was quickest to react to nod home the third before Dylan Watts got in on the act.

But the moment of the night, and the biggest cheer of the night, was saved for Gary O’Neill, who was introduced with just over 10-minutes remaining, making his long-awaited return having been out since October 2025 following a cancer diagnosis.

Then seconds later it was party time as Tallaght Stadium erupted to the news that Shelbourne had gone ahead in Dalymount meaning that Shamrock Rovers would be crowned champions of Ireland yet again.

Shamrock Rovers: Ed McGinty; Lee Grace, Roberto Lopes, Dan Cleary; Tunmise Sobowale (Luke O’Regan 72), Dylan Watts (Gary O’Neill 79), John O’Sullivan, Adam Brennan, Will Fitzgerald (Jake Mulraney 46); Graham Burke (Jonathan Afolabi 79), John McGovern (Aaron Greene 61).

Sligo Rovers: Liam Hughes; Sebastian Quirke, Gareth McElroy, Oliver Denham, Sean Stewart (Kyle McDonagh 80); Archie Meekison (Cian Kavanagh 55), Daire Patton (Aidan Gabbidon 63), Luke Young, James McManus (Luke Pearce 55), Jack Sherrock; Kaiyne Woolery (Ryan O’Kane 80).

Referee: Arnold Hunter.