The 2021 Airtricity League Premier Division regular season reached it’s conclusion on Friday evening. With the top three positions and the bottom place relegation already confirmed, there remained two matters to be resolved. The battle for fourth place went the way of Derry City who came from behind to secure a two one victory over Dundalk in Oriel Park while Bohemian played out a one all draw with Sligo Rovers in the Showgrounds. The ‘Gypsies’ still have the opportunity to claim the European place from the ‘Candystripes’ with victory over St Patrick’s Athletic in the FAI Cup Final.
The trauma of a relegation play-off rested between Finn Harps and Waterford who were equal on points but the Donegal side had a much superior goal difference. Finn Harps ensured that goal difference was irrelevant with a five nil victory over already relegated Longford Town while Waterford played out a scoreless draw with second place St Patrick’s Athletic in the RSC. Champions Shamrock Rovers came from behind to complete their season with a two one victory over Drogheda United in Tallaght Stadium.
P W D L F A G/D Pts
Shamrock Rovers(Champions) 36 24 6 6 59 28 31 78
St Patrick’s Athletic 36 18 8 10 56 42 14 62
Sligo Rovers 36 16 9 11 43 32 11 57
Derry City 36 14 12 10 49 42 7 54
Bohemian 36 14 10 12 60 46 14 52
Dundalk 36 13 9 14 44 46 -2 48
Drogheda United 36 12 8 16 45 43 2 44
Finn Harps 36 11 11 14 44 52 -8 44
Waterford 36 12 6 18 35 55 -20 42
Longford Town(R) 36 2 9 25 22 71 -49 15
The Airtricity League First Division play-off final between Bray Wanderers and UCD to determine who will face the ninth placed Premier Division side in the Promotion/Relegation Final took place in Dalymount Park this Friday evening and saw the ‘Students’ emerge victorious by two goals to nil.
UCD and Waterford will now play-off to determine which club will participate in the Premier Division next season.