Shelbourne claim Irish title

Shelbourne FC became champions of Ireland for the eleventh time on Friday night when a combination of results saw the Dublin side take the title in the Irish Premier Division title with two games to spare.

Title confirmed
While Shelbourne needed to beat Cork City FC, they also wanted reigning champions Bohemian FC to lose at Drogheda United FC if they were to succeed their city rivals as champions. A goal in each half from strikers Jason Byrne and Jamie Harris secured Shelbourne a 2-0 win, and they then learnt that Bohemians had lost by the same score to fall seven points adrift.

Manager's pride
Bohemians only won their title in January - ironically by beating Shelbourne - but this year the Republic of Ireland switched to a summer season, meaning the new campaign began in April. Shelbourne manager Pat Fenlon, who won the title with the club as a player in 2000, said: "I had good times at Shels as a player and I enjoyed every minute, but there is something about leading a group of men as their manager which makes it even more special."

'Strong characters'
He added: "People questioned the character of the team after we lost our place at the top of the table to Bohemians in recent weeks, but we have a lot of strong characters as well as good players, we fought back and deserved to win the league." His side will receive the trophy at Shamrock Rovers FC next Friday, the day of their final fixture.

European campaign
His side will now enter the 2004/05 UEFA Champions League first qualifying round, by which time they will be well into their title defence. Bohemians go into the UEFA Cup along with FAI Cup winners Longford Town FC, with third-placed Cork City FC in the UEFA Intertoto Cup.

Drogheda out of danger
Meanwhile, Drogheda's victory secured their top-flight status, leaving University College Dublin FC and Derry City FC separated by one point, with the eventual bottom side relegated and the second-last club entering a play-off.