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Ben Brady/INPHO

Shamrock Rovers celebrate with trophy after overcoming Sligo

The Hoops lifted their fourth league title in a row in front of a record crowd of 8,021 spectators at Tallaght Stadium.

Shamrock Rovers: 4

Sligo Rovers: 2

Darryl Geraghty reports from Tallaght Stadium

SHAMROCK ROVERS celebrated title number 21 in style as they came from behind to see off a very good Sligo Rovers side in front of a record crowd of 8,021.

A chilly night in South Dublin couldn’t dampen the party-like atmosphere as Stephen Bradley and co put themselves on the pedestal with the great 1980s Hoops side as they lifted their fourth league title in a row.

In something of a bittersweet night for the Hoops, the raucous home support also got to say their goodbyes to two club legends — captain Ronan Finn and veteran goalkeeper Alan Mannus.

The experienced stopper known as ‘Big Al’ called time on his illustrious career after 525 appearances in total spanning 20+ years, donning the gloves one last time after a trophy-laden spell in Tallaght.

Meanwhile, ‘Finner’ will go full circle, heading back to where it all began in 2005, as the 35-year-old plans to line out for a relegated UCD next season while juggling his studies yet again.

Following the guard of honour onto the field and with two minutes in, skipper Finn doing as promised earlier in the week — making sure he was on the field one last time despite his ankle injury — before going off to a thoroughly deserved standing ovation, there could have been a slight threat of a testimonial feeling to proceedings.

But, as expected, professional pride was at stake for both sides. The champions were desperate to put on one last show of the season for their fans and some of John Russell’s men playing for contracts next season.

And it was the visitors after they preserved their Premier Division status last week with a home 0-0 draw with Drogheda United, who looked to spoil the party and got themselves ahead with less than 10 minutes played.

The lively Kailin Barlow reacted sharply to take advantage of a sloppy Roberto Lopes pass out from the back, before racing clear and coolly slotting the ball past Mannus.

But on the stroke of half time, and despite having missed a glorious opportunity just moments previously, the Golden Boot-chasing Graham Burke powered home from inside the area via a slight deflection to level things up.

And just five minutes after the restart, the home side took the lead through a stunning 25-yard free-kick from substitute Dylan Watts, who gave Conor Walsh no chance whipping the ball over the wall from slightly left of the area.

Minutes later, another substitution made an immediate impact, as Aaron Greene, slipped through by Farrugia, scooped the ball over the onrushing Walsh to give his side a two-goal cushion just before the hour mark.

Watts then reacted quickest to put the icing on the cake in a packed area, smashing home from close range for his second, before chants of “Super Keeper” rang around Tallaght as Mannus took his final bow.

And as referee Damien MacGraith blew the final whistle, and ‘We are the Champions’ rang around the ground, the curtain came down on another fascinating League of Ireland campaign.

Shamrock Rovers: Alan Mannus (Leon Pohls, 68’); Daniel Cleary (Sean Hoare, 45’), Roberto Lopes, Lee Grace; Ronan Finn (Neil Farrugia, 2’), Richie Towell (Dylan Watts, 45’), Gary O’Neill, Graham Burke (Aaron Greene 57’), Sean Kavanagh; Rory Gaffney, Johnny Kenny

Subs not used: Darragh Nugent, Liam Burt, Conan Noonan, Naj Razi

Sligo Rovers: Conor Walsh; Niall Morahan (Lukas Browning, 64’), Garry Buckley, John Mahon, Reece Hutchinson (Johan Brannefalk, 74’); Karl O’Sullivan, Greg Bolger (Stefan Radosavljevic, 74’), David Cawley (Owen Elding, 56’), William Fitzgerald; Kailin Barlow, Fabrice Hartmann

Subs not used: Richard Brush, Danny Lafferty, Frank Liivak, Nando Pijnaker, Daire Patton

Referee: Damien MacGraith

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    Mute mark daly
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    Oct 20th 2022, 7:38 AM

    Who cares? It’s 2 different countries. That’s like saying o it clashes with the bill of rights day. Slow news day or what..

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    Mute Dave Barrett
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    Oct 20th 2022, 9:04 AM

    @mark daly: exactly.

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    Mute Dylan Cotter
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    Oct 20th 2022, 7:35 AM

    I get why the EU meeting poses a small logistical problem but why does it matter if the Stormont vote happens on the same day?

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    Mute Carl Campbell
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    Oct 20th 2022, 9:50 AM

    @Dylan Cotter: it doesn’t matter. The Taoiseach has no involvement in NI elections so it’s irrelevant what’s happening here or there on that date. Some hack journalist trying to sensationalise a non story.

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    Mute Mogh Roith
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    Oct 20th 2022, 7:36 AM

    Nonsense article. They are the one party these days. The idea that swapping Taoiseach has an impact is ridiculous. What is going on in the North definitely won’t have a bearing and, if it did, the results take time anyway.

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    Mute Stephen Deegan
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    Oct 20th 2022, 7:58 AM

    What’s the big deal? They’re both just different muppets in the same sketch. It’s not like there’s going to be a power vacuum. Coveney will stay as foreign affairs, which is the important position during the election in the north and Leo will meet Mickey in the Áras. Job done.

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    Mute Con Cussed
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    Oct 20th 2022, 6:42 AM

    Can they not agree to another date instead of 15 December for the change of Taoiseach?

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    Mute Declan McArdle
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    Oct 20th 2022, 7:44 AM

    Will RTE be showing the inauguration? Can we get Graham Norton for the commentary. “Strictly Lanigan’s Ball.”

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    Mute Shaun Gallagher
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    Oct 20th 2022, 7:50 AM

    And they say the DUP are only looking out for themselves.

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    Mute Joanne Stokes
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    Oct 20th 2022, 8:48 AM

    Elections all round so!

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    Mute FlopFlipU
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    Oct 20th 2022, 6:40 AM

    If necessary the two of them should go to show that the southern irish are a United people despite their party differences if you could call them that The differences that is

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    alan
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    Mute alan
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    Oct 20th 2022, 10:56 AM

    Reads as if the govt are on a barbecue spit

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    Mute Kieran Byrne
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    Oct 20th 2022, 11:22 AM

    So

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    Mute john maher
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    Oct 20th 2022, 6:32 PM

    Who going to notice

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    Mute Joanne Stokes
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    Oct 20th 2022, 8:50 PM

    The snide look on Leak’s face says it all…this is no coalition never has been Mehole ya were played mate!!

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