MEMBERS OF the chasing pack will be disappointed that the race is over but even outside of Sligo there will be plenty who happily acknowledge the merit of Rovers’ first title success in 35 years. The team has had the cut of champions about them through most of a season in which they have been better and more consistent than any of their rivals.

Their consecutive cup wins, strong finishes in other recent campaigns and the fact that on their day they have for a while probably been playing the country’s best football all helped to ensure Sligo would start this campaign as one of the most widely fancied sides.

As it happened, they almost lost their opening game, at Shelbourne, where it took a 93rd-minute effort by Jason McGuinness to salvage a point, but after that they took full advantage of what had looked a favourable run of early fixtures by beating UCD, Bohemians and Dundalk at home before making it 13 points from 15 thanks a 2-1 victory at the Carlisle Grounds.

The home draw with St Patrick’s in April looked a decent result for the visitors and it was easy at the time to underestimate the significance of the subsequent 1-3 defeat of Drogheda United who still seemed at that stage likely to fall away. The 3-0 home win over the defending champions on May 12th, however, when Danny North scored twice and David Cawley, already starting to look a significant addition in midfield, got the other, really suggested this might at last be the club’s year.

Over the subsequent time, their recently arrived manager, Ian Baraclough, calmly and cleverly guided his men through some big tests. They lost for the only time in the league not to one of their major rivals but to UCD at Belfield and were then held at Dalymount Park; the only two consecutive league games in which they failed to score.

Danny North then chipped in with two, his 13th and 14th of the campaign, scored either side of half-time in Oriel Park to get them back on track, but those proved to be his last goals of the season.

When it was revealed that the striker was to sit out the rest of the season with a cruciate ligament injury there were doubts about the team’s ability to push on without him but they were quickly dispelled. Mark Quigley, something of a bit-part player up until that point because of suspension and injury, stepped up to the mark in some style, grabbing seven goals in six games and, his roaming brief added new impetus to the team’s already exciting attacking game.

The side was far from defined by its leading goal-scorers, though. In every area they have had contenders for any team of the season with the likes of McGuinness outstanding in central defence, Ross Gaynor a revelation at left back, Joseph Ndo delightful on many occasions in midfield and Séamus Conneely looking impressive just about anywhere he was asked to fill in.

Baraclough can consider himself lucky that he inherited a squad already primed by former boss, Park Cook, for major success but the Rovers board and supporters were fortunate too to find a manager who proved so capable upon arriving in an unfamiliar league.

The use of Gaynor, whose delivery at set-pieces has been a terrific asset, is one way the Englishman has shown his ability to positively shape an already good side. In fact, Baraclough has integrated several players into the group well as well as showing impressive man-management skills to keep Pascal Millien  focused after effectively depriving the Haitian of the chance to return to the international set-up for a friendly around the time the campaign started to move into its decisive phase.

By then, Sligo were in a commanding position with the title-holders struggling and neither Drogheda nor St Patrick’s quite consistent enough to be breathing down their necks.

The latter did embark on something of a late charge and three draws from the six games Sligo played prior to Saturday’s decisive encounter ensured there was some hope for the Dubliners.

The leaders, though, never suffered the sort of reversal that might seriously have dented their confidence or robbed them of their momentum and with Raffaele Cretaro scoring some important goals, they edged steadily towards the finish line before Quigley carried them over it with that his late spot kick in the 3-2 victory.

It was an impressive way to secure the title, winning the first of three tough games their rivals had hoped might trip them up. It promises to be a celebratory few weeks around the Showgrounds where holders Shamrock Rovers will play the part of extras in the final act of a triumphant campaign for their hosts.