Shamrock Rovers Galway United Ireland county Patrick soccer League of Ireland st Patricks athletic Sport Shamrock Rovers Galway United Ireland county Patrick

Little room for error now in title race for the ages

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The final stretch of this League of Ireland season is shaping up to be one for the history books.With just three games remaining, we find ourselves in the midst of a title race so unpredictable that trying to forecast the eventual champion feels like a fool's errand.Five teams still have genuine hopes of lifting the trophy, and if this campaign has taught us anything, it's to expect the unexpected.Shelbourne, Derry City, Shamrock Rovers, St Patrick’s Athletic, and Galway United are all bunched up at the top, first to fifth separated by only four points.The fact that these five teams only have 270 minutes of football left to play shows how unique and tight this campaign has been, going right down to the wire.There’s no room for error, and with the way things have unfolded this season, we can be sure that there are more twists and turns to come.On paper, Shamrock Rovers might look like they have the easiest run-in.Sitting two points behind Shelbourne and level with Derry City on 52 points, they face Drogheda United away tonight, followed by Dundalk away, before finishing the season at home to Waterford.For many, this would seem like a manageable fixture list, but results earlier in the season tell a different story.Rovers have already dropped points against Drogheda, while Dundalk and Waterford have both beaten them this season.The most intriguing element of Rovers' run-in is the psychological battle they face.

As defending champions, they are used to this kind of pressure, which should help them maintain the focus needed to navigate these last three matches unscathed.At the top of the table, Shelbourne will continue to nervously watch over their shoulders.Their form in recent weeks has been awful, only Dundalk have a

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And then there were two! It's been an unpredictable League of Ireland title race but coming into Friday's climax, the picture is clear for the two clubs left standing.
Former Republic of Ireland winger Keith Treacy, ex-St Pat's and Shamrock Rovers goalkeeper Barry Murphy, former Girls in Green midfielder Méabh De Búrca and RTÉ Sport's Anthony Pyne join Raf Diallo as the LOI title race reaches its climax with Shelbourne and Shamrock Rovers left standing ahead of their respective final games which will be both televised and streamed simultaenously on RTÉ this Friday night.
Dylan Watts' 58th minute strike helped Shamrock Rovers see off already relegated Dundalk at Oriel Park to ensure the League of Ireland title race will go down to the wire next weekend.
And then there were two. Shelbourne still at the summit, kicking back into gear with wins over Waterford FC and Drogheda United. And Shamrock Rovers, despite dropping to fourth after St Pat's win over Derry on Friday night, who have a game in hand in which to close the deficit on their cross-city rivals.
Shelbourne have taken a massive step towards the League of Ireland title after a 2-1 win over Drogheda United in Tolka Park.
And while Shelbourne manager Damien Duff was highlighting a certain calmness after Friday's win over Drogheda United, he also stressed that the squad "know what they want" with a Premier Division title now very much within their own grasp.

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