Final weekend !! 2024 GLITW

[Shinkicker]

Congratulations to Shelbourne on winning the league.

[legendz]

Some performance by Duff. 7th in the first season and a cup final. Taking 4th and the final European spot last year. Climbing another 3 places this year to the summit.
Managers of the year based on league:
1. Duff for the above year on year improvement.
2. Caulfield for going from First Division winners to top half of the Premier Division.
3. Stephen Kenny for Pat's incredible end of season run to qualify for Europe.
Notable mentions for Keith Long guiding Waterford to 7th after promotion and John Russell steering Sligo two places higher in a season made more difficult by the qualify of the two promoted sides.
At this early stage looking ahead to next season, the top 7 have the managers in place to be the same top 7 next year.
Whether Cork can have a good off season and a promotion bounce remains to be seen. There's the small matter of Bohs as well. Completely upstaged by all their rivals.
9 into 8 doesn't go, before adding the promotion/relegation winners into the mix.
If Drogheda win as expected, there'll be an immence battle next year.

[Philosophizer]

I don't have the words to express how embarrassing I find Derry. How they've managed to finish 4th in a two horse race I have no idea but they continue to outdo themselves. Losing to Drogheda in the final would really top it off, glad we don't need to rely on them to get a result.

They have been pathetic. The Bruno’s debacle was pure embarrassing.
Their points tally has actually been decreasing for the past 3 seasons.
Higgins manages to make them worse every year.

[Neish]

Well done Shelbourne , to go from promotion to league champions in just 3 seasons is a great achievement, especially when you look at the fact there were at least 3 or 4 teams with far better squad on paper. When Duff was appointed I thought it was just more or less a P.R. appointment and he be gone in 18 months but you can see he inspires hard work and dedication from his players and they give their all for him.

Probably one of the biggest achievements in the LOI in a long time

[placid casual]

The best team in the league wins the title every year,and this year is no exception.
Congratulations to shelbourne on being the most consistent team throughout the year.
Every other team below them , without exception, needs to do much better next year.

[Nesta99]

Is Dermo allowed near the scissors again then?

[placid casual]

Boez dermo's assertion that Rovers not winning a 5th title in a row under Bradley would amount to failure deserved the ridicule it received.
Rovers were 15 points behind shels in September (I think) and got the title to go to the last 5 mins of the season.
Next Thursday Rovers play TNS for a chance to cement their place in the ECL play off stages.
Irrespective of how others feel about where Rovers barometer of success lies, it doesn't affect how the Rovers board and fans feel about our team.

Btw, Nesta- don't go missing just cos youse are heading to division 1. Take care of yourself .

[Acornvilla]

I think the TNS game will do a lot to define how Rovers season is viewed, making it past a European group stage is a pretty huge deal. I've not always been convinced by Bradley, but to have won so much before his 40th birthday is already a massive achievement that probably goes underestimated, when you factor in how close he was to losing his job initially, the difficulties faced in his personal life, I only wish him well.

I've been saying all year that teams are less dominant and have dropped so many points because the lower/mid pack are strong, there's been far less easy points to pick up, where teams could rotate or have an off day and still scrape results and I stand by that. It was an outstanding end to the season, Pat's, Rovers and Shels all delivered in the last month when they needed to, only Derry really let themselves down.

There's a lot to look forward to in 2025, but I think on balance it was good for the league to have a new winner, a lot of teams have scope to improve next season, Shels will have to do something special to retain the title.

[pineapple stu]

Shels supporters' bus catches fire on M1 back from Derry (https://www.msn.com/en-ie/cars/news/bus-carrying-shelbourne-fans-after-league-win-catches-fire-on-m1-motorway/ar-AA1tniCd?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=ASTS&cvid=ef3a22ba5dbc4e1f936c43d8a3576102&ei=12).

[Straightstory]

Shels are probably the third best side in the league at the moment - but that hardly matters. Well done to them. It's deserved over the season.
Duff hugging everyone after the final whistle was quite moving. He's brought a lot to the league with his passion and enthusiasm. I'm sure he'll manage Ireland before too long. (I don't think this Icelandic lad is much good - although it's doubtful that even Duff could motivate the current bunch of dead-beats and losers which currently compose the Irish squad).
Congrats to Shels.

[WoodquayBoy]

Recorded the Derry-Shels game and watched it this morning, great scenes for them at the end, and congrats on the title win.
Don’t get the problem with the trophy presentation - what has annoyed people? Trophy is there, Mark Coyle gets the nod to take it over to the players and raise it with them, no League ‘suits’ gurning for the presentation photo. Job done and done well

[Nesta99]

Boez dermo's assertion that Rovers not winning a 5th title in a row under Bradley would amount to failure deserved the ridicule it received.
Rovers were 15 points behind shels in September (I think) and got the title to go to the last 5 mins of the season.
Next Thursday Rovers play TNS for a chance to cement their place in the ECL play off stages.
Irrespective of how others feel about where Rovers barometer of success lies, it doesn't affect how the Rovers board and fans feel about our team.

Btw, Nesta- don't go missing just cos youse are heading to division 1. Take care of yourself .

I dont think Rovers season as a failure really, I do think that they underachieved in terms of the league and rode some luck 1st game in Europe. I have questioned the barometer of where some Rovers see where success lay as you say. I think Dundalk threw away a chance to dominate for longer for whatever reason and If I were a Rovers fans i'd look at this season as a missed opportunity for 5 titles and expected plenty more in seasons to come which might be the case of course. The 2017 season was poor by the then Dundalk standards and a missed chance for what would have been 5 in a row, will always be a what might have been thing. In Europe, chatting to some Rovers fans, not just on here and early on were worried by under performance but they saved their European season so credit where its due there.

From the outside, its been suggested above, there is a sense of things getting a bit stale at Rovers. Its not a criticism, it happens when multiple titles back to back are won. It wouldnt be good for the league but if it were Dundalk Id never be satisfied, winning leagues never gets old and Id expect the club to evolve year on year to keep hungry. Similarly Rovers could have done a Celtic type thing considering the lack of an outstanding rivals of real quality though the league dynamic is changing. I do get why Rovers fans are giving a pass to this season based on the last 4. Im not in to managers 'deserving' contract extensions eg based on previous seasons if change is needed and thats a big if with Bradley when purely looking at his trophy haul.

Dundalk deserve where we are at on so many levels. Its hard when you know what was possible if it wasnt for bad decisions over and over. It is very much a situtation where we need to take our medicine without complaint bar with our own club issues. I dont intend to go missing - it'd actually be easier to make observations on the Premier Division next season when not in it with vested interest. With some luck, hard work and passing a right test of endurance I'll hopefully be well in the mix next season and back enjoying the wind ups, slagging and discussion with Dundalk back in the Premier Division in 2026 or whenever.

[Martinho II]

Im absolutely delighted for Shels that they finally won the title. They have had a very tough close to two decades long struggle. I know with my club that I could identify with Shels struggles. DD is a breath of fresh air to LOI. It sums up the loi with Shels fans bus going on fire! Glad everyone got out safely.

[2 Year Contract]

It sums up the loi with Shels fans bus going on fire! Glad everyone got out safely.

Bloody FAI not carrying out proper NCT's on all vehicles bringing someone to an LOI game ;)

[2 Year Contract]

Athlone 2 up on Bray in 21 mins. It’ll be a tough ask from here for Bray

[Kiki Balboa]

Athlone 2 up on Bray in 21 mins. It’ll be a tough ask from here for Bray

2-2 ! In extra time now

[2 Year Contract]

And Bray win on penalties! Great turnaround after what looked like a ropey start

[ger121]

Bray really not fancied by anyone to even make it past UCD are now one game away from the Premier. I think it could be a very interesting game. They’ll be wishing the match was in a few days time and not 2 weeks.

[legendz]

Bray are the first 5th placed team to win the First Division playoff.
While Cork were runaway First Division winners, First Division clubs have done ok in the cup over recent years. Galway last year. Treaty before making a cup semi-final. Athlone beat Waterford this year, UCD beat Sligo and Kerry took Bohs to penalties.
Drogheda will be raging hot favourites. Just as Derry could repeat their cup final win from a few years back, Drogheda could claim a similar devastating win in the promotion/relegation playoff. It is a one off cup final though. Bray will be there to try and pull off a shock.

[Acornvilla]

I can see Drogs bullying them tbh, but you never know in a 1 off game.

[Onapointoforder]

Bray really not fancied by anyone to even make it past UCD are now one game away from the Premier. I think it could be a very interesting game. They’ll be wishing the match was in a few days time and not 2 weeks.
Bray have flourished since Ian Ryan left…just shows

[brendy_éire]

Hate to be that guy but...was it offside?

Might have been alright, but Shels should probably have had a penalty shortly before, so maybe it evens out.


I don't have the words to express how embarrassing I find Derry. How they've managed to finish 4th in a two horse race I have no idea but they continue to outdo themselves. Losing to Drogheda in the final would really top it off, glad we don't need to rely on them to get a result.

Beyond embarrassing at this point, it's numbing.

Fair play to Shels. Had Rovers down to win it all year, but Shels got it over the line with the last few results.
It's strange, because in a head to head, we're better than Shels, Rovers are better than us, but its grinding out results against other teams wins you the league. And Shels have done it with a lot less money than us/Rovers. It's a great achievement.

Had a bit of craic with some Shels fans out in town after too, who mostly seemed to be in a state of disbelief that they won it. A few thought Duff could be away to Britain in the off-season. Can see why he'd attractive, but at the same time, he has a young enough family, and probably doesn't need the money. Hard to know.

[legendz]

First Division clubs are to get around €45,000 each in UEFA solidarity payments. Premier Division clubs are to get around €355,000.
There is expected to be a €700,000 windfall in 2025. Dundalk are supposed to benefit from that as Cork will only graduate to the upper payment when the 2025/26 dividends are sent out. Drogheda seem guaranteed that €700,000 next year as well.
The promotion/relegation playoff will be a €355,000 playoff at least. Potentially more depending on the success of LoI clubs in Europe.

[Nesta99]

It sums up the loi with Shels fans bus going on fire.

Somebody of the no pyro no party thinkers start a few KM too early on the trip home? Seriously though that looked a pretty serious incident so we can all be very grateful that nobody was hurt!!

[Nesta99]

Might have been alright, but Shels should probably have had a penalty shortly before, so maybe it evens out.



Beyond embarrassing at this point, it's numbing.

Fair play to Shels. Had Rovers down to win it all year, but Shels got it over the line with the last few results.
It's strange, because in a head to head, we're better than Shels, Rovers are better than us, but its grinding out results against other teams wins you the league. And Shels have done it with a lot less money than us/Rovers. It's a great achievement.

Had a bit of craic with some Shels fans out in town after too, who mostly seemed to be in a state of disbelief that they won it. A few thought Duff could be away to Britain in the off-season. Can see why he'd attractive, but at the same time, he has a young enough family, and probably doesn't need the money. Hard to know.

The last expensive, talented and arguably strongest team not to win the league was 05 and 06 Drogheda, but did have the Cup and Setanta Cups over the same spell which was an upward trend for them until the did eventually win their maiden league 07, and some damn good European performances over that times that helped initially not getting their league win sooner for the massive investment to do so. Competition for the league was probably stronger than what Derry have had the last 2 years based not so much on others' potential but some sketchy form that Derry could and imo should have capitalised on. The cup is important but it feels a bit like a consolation prize, a season saving chance rather than the pure out and out joy and fun of being in the cup final (and winning it). It wont be devalued, just bitter sweet I think. Any other particular sides that really should have won a league that just didnt show up?

I did double check the year the Drogs won the league and saw that in 08, according to wiki, they went in to examineship after failing to pay back a '500k loan' to the Revenue? Is that some sort of typo or have I missed something in the taxman giving loans? Structured repayments maybe so is this info a misinterpretation of this? Not that it matters, just out of interest tbh.

[Jack B]

Some header to make it 2-2 tonight and rescue things for Bray. As 92nd minute equalisers go that's right up there. Still and all would be quite surprised to see them get the better of Drogs, who despite their possibly disappointing last few weeks of the league season are generally much improved and you'd imagine would have too much quality.

[Nesta99]

Bray wont beat Drogheda but it could potentially be one of the most amusing moments of the GLITW if they did!! As cup winners of course.

[legendz]

Bray wont beat Drogheda but it could potentially be one of the most amusing moments of the GLITW if they did!! As cup winners of course.

Amusing for Dundalk supporters I suppose!
It'll add extra spice to the First Division if there's a Dundalk - Drogheda battle for the title. 2023 had two box office opponents in Galway and Waterford. Only Cork this year.

[pineapple stu]

Just realised Seán Gannon was with Shels this year

Means he's now won 11 Premier Division titles with five different clubs

The latter must be a record surely?

[Neish]

First Division clubs are to get around €45,000 each in UEFA solidarity payments. Premier Division clubs are to get around €355,000.
There is expected to be a €700,000 windfall in 2025. Dundalk are supposed to benefit from that as Cork will only graduate to the upper payment when the 2025/26 dividends are sent out. Drogheda seem guaranteed that €700,000 next year as well.
The promotion/relegation playoff will be a €355,000 playoff at least. Potentially more depending on the success of LoI clubs in Europe.

But is that not very much up to the Premier clubs?, from what I have read and heard the Premier clubs cam take all the money if they so wish

[2 Year Contract]

Just realised Seán Gannon was with Shels this year

Means he's now won 11 Premier Division titles with five different clubs

The latter must be a record surely?

Four clubs, Rovers, Pats, Dundalk, Shels

[pineapple stu]

Whoops! Yeah, four clubs. Still good.

[legendz]

But is that not very much up to the Premier clubs?, from what I have read and heard the Premier clubs cam take all the money if they so wish
UEFA stipulates that second tier clubs can only receive 15%. That is only if 75% of the Premier sides agree to do so – no issues are expected in that regard. Daniel McDonnell seemed to suggest no issues are expected in that regard.

[Buckett]

11 League medals in 14 seasons is ridiculous.
A trophy every season in his career so far, if the LSC is included.

[nigel-harps1954]

UEFA stipulates that second tier clubs can only receive 15%. That is only if 75% of the Premier sides agree to do so – no issues are expected in that regard. Daniel McDonnell seemed to suggest no issues are expected in that regard.

Others involved in clubs have suggested otherwise. Premier clubs may hold on to it all.

[Martinho II]

11 League medals in 14 seasons is ridiculous.
A trophy every season in his career so far, if the LSC is included.

SG claims that it is only 10 as he only played 1 game in 2011 season for Shams.

Saw on BBC news last night that there was trouble in Derry after the game fri night. I know there was flares at the game so Im a bit surprised by this?

[oriel]

Did SG feature much for Pats during their 2013 league winning season?

[2 Year Contract]

Did SG feature much for Pats during their 2013 league winning season?
Not much no, he was a backup player. Played 13 times in the league with only 3 of those as starts. Ger O'Brien got into the team of the year that season so Gannon found it hard to displace him, while he was also still an inexperienced player at that stage. In a good few of those sub appearances he actually came on in centre midfield quite often interestingly enough

[ger121]

11 League medals in 14 seasons is ridiculous.
A trophy every season in his career so far, if the LSC is included.

Some stat that one

[dcfc_legend9]

Beyond devastated that we capitulated the way we have since Magpies in Gibraltar. I have seen some disappointing and heart breaking moments over the years from 2005 in Cork on the final day, 2006 last game of the season winning and still not winning the league but watching Shels winning the title in the Brandywell is possibly the worst of the lot.

Honestly it doesnt get any more degrading and the fact our players didnt careless is more embarrassing. Fair play to Shels they got it over the line all the same.

The cup final week should be a week of excitement and it probably is for the casual Derry fan but id say the majority of the hardcore base is finding it hard to get motivated for what feels like a side quest.

[DCSIL]

It's been a shocking last few months. As bad as being in a league where half the teams have a chance of going up and failing to make that group.

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

Playoff final moved to Tallaght

[smasherdrog]

Playoff final moved to Tallaght
Good move , if Drogs win the cup it’ll sell out.

[2 Year Contract]

Good move , if Drogs win the cup it’ll sell out.

And how many less than the 10,000 fans (minus Bray fans) will Drogheda bring to the promotion/relegation playoff if they don’t win the cup?

[smasherdrog]

Well every home game has been a sell-out so they’ll still bring a considerable support.

[2 Year Contract]

Well every home game has been a sell-out so they’ll still bring a considerable support.

Not every Drogheda home game was a sell out, but even allowing for that, it’s a major difference selling out United Park and selling out Tallaght Stadium

[Cosmo]

Not every Drogheda home game was a sell out, but even allowing for that, it’s a major difference selling out United Park and selling out Tallaght Stadium

It won't sell out, but tallaght is a much better venue than inchicore for this match.

Delighted it's been moved and there won't be the same scramble for tickets to get a covered seat for those with kids now!

[D24Saint]

Was looking forward to the Playoff match in Richmond. The cup final is the final day out of the season so , hope it’s a good game.

[2 Year Contract]

It won't sell out, but tallaght is a much better venue than inchicore for this match.

Delighted it's been moved and there won't be the same scramble for tickets to get a covered seat for those with kids now!

Yep, don’t disagree with any of that. The lack of cover can be a pox at this time of year

[Nesta99]

It won't sell out, but tallaght is a much better venue than inchicore for this match.

Delighted it's been moved and there won't be the same scramble for tickets to get a covered seat for those with kids now!

If I were a Drogs fan, purely on football, the tighter pitch would be something Drogheda are used to and could have been a tactical advantage in Inchicore.