Bohemians reign again in Ireland

Bohemian FC have effectively won back-to-back league titles for the first time in their 119-year history after results on the penultimate weekend of the Irish season went their way.

Trophy
The champions beat Sligo Rovers FC 3-1 while second-placed Shamrock Rovers FC were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Galway United FC. The results leave Bohemians with a three-point lead over Rovers heading into the last round of fixtures, and as there is a mathematical possibility of Rovers still winning the league, the trophy was not presented.

Permutations
But for Rovers to still win the title they would need Bohs to lose their final game of the season against Bray Wanderers FC, whose relegation from the top flight was confirmed by their defeat by Derry City FC, and Rovers would need to beat Saint Patrick's Athletic FC by 17 clear goals for that to happen.

'Great feeling'
Victorious manager Pat Fenlon said: "This club had never won back-to-back titles before so it's a great feeling. This group of players worked very hard to get here, as I know it's hard to win a league title and even harder to win it two years in a row so it's a tremendous achievement."

'Difficult season'
Fenlon, who previously won successive titles with Dublin rivals Shelbourne FC, added: "It's a fantastic result for us. Obviously it's going to take a while to sink in but to do it two years in a row is very special. It was a very hard start to the season for us, and it's been a difficult season for the club, but it's just fantastic to win it again."