Shamrock Rovers got their trophy, but Dundalk made sure the party was a muted one. On a dramatic final night of the 2026 SSE Airtricity Premier Division on Friday 30 October, the champions were beaten 3-1 at Oriel Park, Bohemians snatched a lucrative second place, Sligo Rovers bowed out of the top flight, and Galway United signed off with defeat at Drogheda.
Dundalk rain on the champions’ parade
Rovers had wrapped up the title a week earlier, their sixth in seven seasons according to The 42, and around 700 of their supporters made the trip north expecting a celebration. For a while they had one. An own goal from Dundalk’s Rob Cornwall on 23 minutes put the visitors ahead at the break.
Dundalk turned the game around in the second half. Daryl Horgan levelled on 57 minutes, a goal The 42 said boosted his case for the PFAI Player of the Year award, before Cian Dillon struck twice in three minutes, on 65 and 68 minutes, to complete the comeback. Dundalk finish sixth. Rovers still lifted the trophy at full-time, but the night belonged to the home side.
There was also an emotional farewell for veteran goalkeeper Peter Cherrie, who made his final appearance after a 24-year career before being replaced on 33 minutes.
Bohs’ half-a-million-euro comeback
The biggest prize on the night was second place, and Bohemians grabbed it in style at Richmond Park. St Patrick’s Athletic took the lead through Sean McHale, but Jordan Flores, Cian Byrne and Connor Parsons scored for Bohs, who won 3-2; Kian Leavy’s curling effort from distance was the hosts’ second goal.
The reward is substantial. The 42 estimated that runners-up spot could be worth around €500,000 to the Dublin club, combining extra league prize money with a bye into the second qualifying round of next summer’s UEFA Conference League. The Irish Examiner put the value of that bye at more than €525,000. Bohs finish three points behind Rovers and five clear of third-placed St Pat’s, who will also play in Europe but must start a round earlier.
Heartbreak in Sligo, nerves in Drogheda
At the other end, Sligo Rovers’ relegation was confirmed long before kick-off. They signed off with a 2-2 draw against Derry City after leading 2-0 at half-time through Gareth McElroy and Ryan O’Kane, only for substitute Terence Doherty to strike twice on his first Derry start. The 42 reported that Sligo finish bottom, 15 points adrift and without a win in 18 league games, and that manager Darren Purse is still waiting for his first league victory since taking over in July.
Drogheda United beat Galway United 2-0 at Windmill Road with goals from Brandon Kavanagh on 32 minutes and Mark Doyle shortly after half-time. It was not enough to lift them out of the play-off place. Shelbourne, beaten 3-2 at home by Waterford, are effectively safe on goal difference, according to The 42.
For Galway United, it was a disappointing end to a season that had promised more. They reached the FAI Cup semi-final before losing 2-0 at home to Derry City.
Lonergan’s Golden Boot winner
Waterford’s victory at Tolka Park had a personal subplot. Padraig Amond briefly drew level with team-mate Tommy Lonergan at the top of the scoring charts, but Lonergan’s late header settled both the match and the Golden Boot, giving him 16 league goals for the season, The 42 reported. Evan McLaughlin was also on target, while Kerr McInroy and JJ Lunney scored for Shels.
What happens next
The season is not quite over. Drogheda face a promotion/relegation play-off next week, against the winners of Sunday’s First Division play-off final between Bray Wanderers and UCD. Drogheda won the same fixture against Bray two years ago.
The domestic campaign then closes with the FAI Cup final at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday 8 November, where Derry City meet Waterford. Both sides rested players or kept momentum going on Friday night, with Derry’s interim manager Mark Connolly making ten changes for the trip to Sligo and Waterford’s in-form strike pair carrying their goals into the final.
For Rovers, the focus now turns to the off-season and another tilt at Europe. For Dundalk, Friday night was proof that the champions can still be beaten.
Sources
- The 42: Dundalk disrupt Shamrock Rovers’ Premier Division title celebrations with 3-1 win (30 October 2026)
- The 42: Bohs grab potential €500k consolation as season finishes with a whimper for St Pat’s (30 October 2026)
- Irish Examiner: Bohs seal second with comeback victory over Pats (30 October 2026)
- The 42: Doherty’s double on first Derry start ruins Sligo’s Premier Division farewell (30 October 2026)
- The 42: Drogheda defeat Galway United to prepare for crucial play-off (30 October 2026)
- The 42: Lonergan secures Golden Boot as Waterford’s dynamic duo carry form into FAI Cup final (30 October 2026)
- Irish Examiner: League of Ireland updates, Premier Division final day (30 October 2026)
- Wikipedia: 2026 FAI Cup final (accessed 30 October 2026)
Featured image: Oriel Park Main Stand Match Night 01 by Daniel Sexton, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
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