Shelbourne were crowned eircom League Premier Division champions tonight after a 2-0 win over Cork City, while their nearest challengers Bohemians lost by the same margin to Drogheda United.
Striker Jason Byrne was on hand to open the Shel's scoring with a fine volley after 26 minutes. Jamie Harris put the game beyond reasonable doubt after the break with Shel's second on 50 minutes.
Celebrations soon got under way at Tolka Park when the home support got news of what was happening at O2 Park. Drogheda United effectively handed Shelbourne the title with their 2-0 home win over Bohemians.
After tonight's results Shelbourne moved onto 68 points and the seven point gap meant Boh's could not catch their Dublin rivals. Shelbourne have now won the Premier title three times in the last five years.
Elsewhere in the league, St. Patrick's Athletic and UCD played out a nil-all draw at Richmond Park, while Waterford United turned over Longford Town 1-0 at Flancare Park.
The race for promotion in the first division is still between Dublin City and Bray Wanderers as both recorded wins tonight. League leaders Dublin won 2-1 away to Athlone Town with Bray winning comfortably 3-1 at home against Cobh Ramblers.
Finn Harps defeated Kilkenny City 1-0 at Finn Park.
Tonight's eircom league results:
St. Patrick's Athletic 0-0 UCD
Shelbourne 2-0 CorkCity
Drogheda United 2-0 Bohemians
Longford Town 0-1 Waterford United
(Shels are crowned champions for 2003)
First division results:
Athlone Town 1-2 Dublin City
Bray Wanderers 3-1 Cobh Ramblers
Finn Harps 1-0 Kilkenny City