Premier Division Round-Up: Shamrock Rovers go season unbeaten to condemn Shels to play-off while Harps complete heroic survival bid

Shamrock Rovers have gone the 2020 season unbeaten thanks to a comfortable 2-0 win away to Shelbourne at Tolka Park.

As a result of their defeat, and a win for Finn Harps, Shelbourne will now take on Longford Town in the promotion/relegation play-off final this weekend.

Elsewhere, Sligo Rovers secured a superb 2-0 win away from home against Dundalk at Oriel Park to secure fourth spot.

Should either they or one of Shamrock Rovers, Bohemians or Dundalk win the FAI Cup, they will be competing in European football next term.

Meanwhile, Derry City scored late in the second-half to avoid defeat away to relegated Cork City.

Shelbourne 1 - 2 Shamrock Rovers

Stephen Bradley’s Hoops became the first side in League of Ireland football to go unbeaten in a season since the 1920s with an easy win away to Shels, reports Macdara Ferris.

The Reds’ defeat now sees them slip into a promotion/relegation play-off final against Longford Town.

Goals from both Jack Byrne and Aaron Greene was enough to see off Ian Morris’ side who had talismanic midfielder Gary Deegan dismissed for two bookable offences.

Hoops boss Bradley was also sent-off, and he will now miss their FAI Cup quarter-final away to Finn Harps.



Finn Harps 1 - 0 Waterford

Adam Foley’s first-half strike saw Finn Harps finish outside of the relegation play-off, wrote Stuart Connolly.

But it was a dramatic night at Finn Park, as deep into added time, Kurtis Byrne thundered a close-range effort off the base of the post, had it gone in, it would have broken Harps’ hearts.

Ollie Horgan’s side finished in 8th place in the league, securing their spot for next season.

Dundalk 0 - 2 Sligo Rovers

An abject display from Dundalk saw them suffer defeat at the hands of a well-organised Sligo Rovers side, wrote David Wilson.

A freak Jesse Devers effort from over 40 yards out and a Ronan Coughlan wonder strike guaranteed a top four finish for the Bit O’Red and a potential shot at European football next season.

Dundalk secure third spot due to Waterford’s defeat to Finn Harps and have guaranteed themselves a European expedition next season.

St Patrick’s Athletic 1 - 2 Bohemians

James Talbot was the star of the show as Bohemians clinched a 2-1 win away to Dublin rivals St Patrick’s Athletic

The netminder pulled off a string of top-class stops to end the Athletic’s slim hopes of snatching fourth position on the final day of the season.

A stunning stop to deny Robbie Benson’s point-blank header typified the keeper’s night as his side ground out a 2-1 win to end their season on a high.

For the Saints, Sligo Rovers’ win over Dundalk made the defeat immaterial but they were left to rue a string of missed chances and defensive errors in the build-up to both Bohs goals.

Cork City 1 - 1 Derry City

Cork City brought the curtain on a difficult year with a 1-1 draw at home to a beleaguered Derry City at Turners Cross.

Derry came into the game knowing that either a draw or a win would guarantee survival – and that was what they got on Leeside.

However, they were made to sweat for their win, as they fell behind in the 59th minute thanks to a goal from City youngster Beineon O'Brien Whitmarsh.

But their blushes spared in the 76th minute as James Akintunde struck to guarantee survival for Declan Devine’s side.

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