Eire. The 1985 season was the last of traditional Irish championships – a reform was coming. The league was bigger than the previous year: two teams were elected to join it – Longford Town and Cork City – thus increasing it to 16 participants. But 4 of them were going to be relegated – the top league was to be of 12 teams and the new second division of 10. The new league was a combination of new and old at first – 4 relegated from First Division teams and 6 elected, the traditional method. But that was going to happen after the end of this season, yet, it affected it, for it was important to avoid finishing below 12th place. Newcomer Longford Town was too weak for top level football and finished last with 10 points. Finn Harps was also below standard – 15th with 19 points. But battle for escaping relegation involved 9 of the remaining 14 teams! At the end Drogheda United was 14th with 24 points and Sligo Rovers 13th with 26 points. That was the group of teams going to the new second division. Shelbourne took 12th place thanks to better goal-difference – they had 26 points too. The other newcomer, Cork City, did well – 9th with 28 points.
Dundalk was surprisingly weak, but managed to avoid relegation zone – 8th with 28 points, ahead of Cork City on better goal-difference. Standing from left: Laryea, Cleary, Lawlor, McConville, Murray, Wright. First row: McLaughlin, Kehoe, Blackmore, McNulty, Wright.
Galway United ended at the top of the endangered teams – 6th with 29 points.
The well to do teams were such only compared to the lowly bunch: there was no intriguing battle for the title. Limerick City was 5th with 37 points – 8 more than Galway, but they were not serious candidates for medals. University College Dublin clinched 4th place with 38 points. Athlone Town was 3rd with 40 points.
Bohemians was satisfied with 2nd place – they were not able to seriously challenge the leaders, but got the Irish UEFA Cup spot, which was fine enough.
And who else, but Shamrock Rovers on top? They dominated the championship and easily won it with 22 wins, 5 ties, 3 losses, 63-21 goal-difference. 49 points – Bohemians had 43. Nobody scored more goals and allowed less, no other team won 20 games. Superior champions in every aspect.
And they made it a double. Galway United reached the Cup final and put a fight, but Shamrock prevailed 1-0.
It was a matter of numbers, but what numbers! Shamrock Rovers won their 22nd title and 22nd Cup. It was their 5th double. Their manager Jim McLoughlin was recognized as most important for continual success: he took the reigns 9 years ago, immediately winning the title – after 20 dry years for the club! To date, he won 3 titles and 3 Cup for Shamrock and this was his second double. And he was the first Irish coach to achieve doubles with 2 different clubs. Records…