Republic of Ireland – one more season barely noticed outside the country. Since there was no second division, promotion-relegation was done in a way peculiar for the British Isles: election. Others decided if and which club meets the criteria for playing top flight. Given the usual strength of second leagues everywhere, the method chosen for promotion did not really matter – lower division clubs were seldom strong addition to the best. Even when ‘the best’ were not much, as it was traditionally the case of Ireland. There was no escape from the predicament: all better Irish players went to English and Scottish clubs at early age and hardly ever came back. This season was no different The elected newcomers were Galway Rovers and Thurles Town. They promptly occupied the very bottom places in the league and settled there – Thurles finished last with 10 points, winning just a single match. Galway were 15th with 16 points. The 14th placed Cork Celtic had 22 points – the newcomers were much weaker than anybody else, giving some indirect idea how difficult was promoting teams to first division even by election: they were simply no good.
Perhaps the only interesting thing was the case of Cork Alberts – they finished 9th, but such a club had played only two years in first division. Previously they were known as Albert Rovers. Change of name often suggests trouble… the new name did not last either, changed to Cork United and the club sunk back into obscurity. The city of Cork clearly was not able to support more than one club – and Cork United disappeared entirely, after merging with Cork Celtic.
So, the season was meaningful only at the top of he league – 5 clubs scrambled in the contest for the title. Waterford finished 5th with 39 points. Shamrock Rovers, one of the traditionally stronger Irish clubs, ended 4th with 40 points and losing bronze medals on goal-difference. Drogheda United clinched 3rd place. Second were Finn Harps with 42 points.
A very young club by the standards of the British Isles – they were formed in 1954. For those speaking Celtic, the name of the club is Cumann Peile Chlairsigh na Finne, and for non-supporters – ‘yo-yo club’, for their only regularity is moving between first and second tier of Irish football. However, they became ‘yo-yo club’ after 1990, and the 1970s were more or less their glory days. 1977-78 was one of their strongest ever – they came close to a title, losing the race by 2 points. They were also the club winning most matches in the league – 19.
Here they are – the pride of County Donegal. No name rings a bell, but success is success. Especially when happens so rare and the club will soon start its long-lasting decline.
The champions were familiar and ancient – Bohemian FC (Dublin).
There is no relation, but the club is mostly known combined with the other Bohemians, from Prague. The name is attractive, hence the clubs were often mentioned together. Of course, in Celtic their name is Cumann Peile Boitheamaigh, but commonly they are called just Bohemians. Founded in 1890, as a club from this region should be. They were traditionally strong force in Irish football, winning so far 6 titles. They were good this year – lost only 3 matches, scored 74 goals – the most by far in the league, and had the second-best defensive record. They were not really dominant, though – with 44 points, they were 2 points ahead of Finn Harps and the other pursuers were close too.
7th title, but perhaps the only memorable thing about that team is the wild – or bohemian – look of Ryan. True to name.