League of Ireland title run-ins: Dodgy buses and unused champagne

For the first time in a while, the League of Ireland Premier Division is set for a nerve-jangling run-in.

Unexpected league leaders Shelbourne are losing altitude as the season heads down the final straight, with just one win in eight, while second-place Derry City are struggling to capitalise.

Meanwhile, a resurgent Shamrock Rovers have catapulted into contention and are breathing down the pace-setters' necks as they pursue an unprecedented five-in-a-row.

The head games have started with Stephen Bradley innocently observing that the two teams in front of the Hoops may be "feeling it".

In the meantime, here are three memorable Premier Division campaigns that went right to the end.

1992-93: Bohs bus breaks down as score difference makes no difference

Pat Fenlon was still sore about this one when it was referenced at a press conference after he returned to Dublin from Hibernian 11 years ago.

Bohemians, FAI Cup winners from the year before, were on the brink of their first league title in 15 years, needing only a draw away to Dundalk at Oriel Park on the final day.

The league had adopted a jazzy new format ahead of that season, one which it jettisoned after two campaigns.

Once every team had played each other twice - 22 games - the table split into two groups of six, the top six playing each other twice again to vie for the league title and Europe, the bottom six playing off to avoid relegation.

While it was a brutal cut-off for those who found themselves outside the top six - a group which included St Patrick's Athletic and Shamrock Rovers - the new format produced one of the most exciting and eccentric league campaigns of them all. Only three points separated the top five at the finish.

Vying for the league title alongside Bohs