League of Ireland Round Up:It was helter-skelter towards the end but by the final whistle Shamrock Rovers were crowned Airtricity Premier Division champions for the 16th time and bridged a 16 year gap to their last title win.
In a closely fought campaign Rovers edged out their Dublin rivals Bohemians on goal difference. After 36 games both sides were tied on 67 points apiece with Michael O'Neill side getting over the line with a better goal difference.
This was no walk in the park and coming down the stretch in recent weeks the momentum swung like a pendulum, first for Rovers then back to Bohemians before the Hoops kept their nerve to eventually be crowned champions.
Holding a two point advantage going into the deciding games, Rovers' final assignment was an away trip to Bray Wanderers and matters didn't go to script as the home side took the early lead through Jake Kelly after 20 minutes.
Gary Twigg levelled proceedings four minutes from the break before Thomas Stewart put the visitors ahead almost immediately after the restart.
The dramatic, nervy finish was ensured at the Carlisle Grounds when Gary Shaw equalised for Bray. Despite several half chances, Rovers held on and the 2-2 draw was enough.
"I can't believe it, we've waited so long for this. There are going to be some celebrations tonight," said a delighted man-of-the-match Twigg after the game.
"This one's for all the supporters, finally we're back. I came over here (from Scotland) to win trophies and finally we've won the league."
At Dalymount Park Bohemians eventually ran out 3-1 winners against Dundalk. Patrick Madden put the Gypsies ahead in the 12th minute, a lead they would hold on to up until Fahrudin Kuduzovic's 66th minute equaliser.
What followed was a late show where Aaron Greene and Jason Byrne both got on the score sheet for Bohs at the death to keep Rovers on their on their toes all the way to the end.
Elsewhere Drogheda United and Galway United played out a 3-3 draw, Sligo Rovers beat St Patrick's Athletic 1-0, while Sporting Fingal defeated UCD 4-1.
A 16th title, a 16-year wait, 16 was the magic number for Rovers.
Airtricity League Results
Premier Division
Bohemians 3-1 Dundalk
Bray Wanderers 2-2 Shamrock Rovers
Drogheda United 3-3 Galway United
Sligo Rovers 1-0 St Patrick's Athletic
Sporting Fingal 4-1 UCD
Premier Division Final Table
P W D L F A Pts
Shamrock Rovers 36 19 10 7 57 34 67
Bohemians 36 19 10 7 50 29 67
Sligo Rovers 36 17 12 7 61 36 63
Sporting Fingal 36 16 14 6 60 38 62
St. Patrick's 36 16 9 11 55 33 57
Dundalk 36 14 6 16 46 50 48
UCD 36 12 8 16 47 54 41
Galway United 36 9 11 16 38 59 38
Bray Wanderers 36 6 9 21 35 72 27
Drogheda Utd 36 4 9 23 30 74 21