Athlone Town clinched their first-ever league title after overcoming Bohemians with a hard-fought 2-0 win to spark wild scenes amongst their players.
In claiming victory, the side extended their incredible unbeaten run in all competitions to nine in the process.
With the league trophy in situ prior to kick off, the only question was whether the home side would get to lift it by the end of the night.
And both Madie Gibson and Kellie Brennan were on hand to emphatically answer the question and set the home side on their way with two well-taken first-half goals to help Ciarán Kilduff side to the incredible achievement - made even more special given not only their infancy in the league but the stiffness of this season's competition too.
Earlier in the day, Shelbourne kept the pressure on the table-toppers who, thanks to their superior head-to-head against the Reds, knew the win would be enough to get them over the line.
Ken Kiernan's young guns proved tough opposition as expected, moving the ball confidently, and they more than played their part and could have taken the lead just 10 minutes in.
Hard-working striker Alannah McEvoy dropped deep to collect the ball before playing a delightful defence-splitting pass to Aoibhe Brennan, but the majestic midfielder was smothered by Katie Keane who came flying off her line.
This seemed to awaken the beast as the home side began to dominate proceedings.
Just before the half-hour mark, SSE Airtricity Women’s Player of the Month Gibson continued her excellent form and calmed any potential anxiety that may have been building around the ground.
The classy winger - an injury doubt before the game - ruthlessly took advantage of a tame Rachael Kelly clearance before showing great strength to round Lisa Murphy and finish expertly into the top corner.
Kelly made up for the error just minutes later as she stood up brilliantly to deny Brenda Tabe who raced clear of the Bohs backline.
But Athlone deservedly doubled their lead shortly after as Tabe’s cross from the left fell kindly to Brennan, who then turned sharply and struck a beautiful left-footed effort across goal into the far corner.
The hosts should have been out of sight before the break when Tabe found herself clear through on goal. Having rounded the onrushing Bohs skipper Kelly, and thinking she had an open goal at her mercy, she found her pocket picked brilliantly by Sarah Power.
To their credit, the visitors kept their heads and continued to play some lovely stuff but just lacked a threat in the final third.
The home side failed to add to their tally despite great chances to do so with both Gibson and Tabe missing glorious opportunities. The American seemed to scuff a shot across goal before delivering a pin-point cross to the head of Tabe with her header rebounding off the crossbar.
With just minutes remaining, there were huge calls from the Bohs players claiming they should have been awarded a goal when Keane came to collect an in-swinging corner but seemed to stumble behind her line with the ball in hand.
But despite the little scare, Athlone saw out the remainder of the game in relative comfort to get their hands on the big one sparking wild celebrations.
With the enthralling title race coming to a dramatic end, the top two can now dust themselves down as they prepare for another titanic tussle in the FAI Cup final on 20 October.
Athlone Town: Katie Keane; Ciara O’Neill (Isabel Ryan, 83), Jesi Rossman, Kayleigh Shine, Shauna Brennan; Madison Gibson (Emily Burke, 83), Laurie Ryan, Kate Slevin, Roisin Molloy; Kellie Brennan, Brenda Tabe (Hazel Donegan, 90+1).
Bohemians: Rachael Kelly; Sarah Power, Lisa Murphy, Tiegan Ruddy, Abbie O’Hara (Leah Riley, 88); Katie Lovely (Lauryn McCabe, 59), Aoibhe Brennan, Fiona Donnelly; Katie Malone, Savannah Kane (Shauna Carroll, 59’), Alannah McEvoy.
Referee: Aaron O’Dowd.
Shelbourne at least made sure Athlone were going to have to work for the title earlier on Saturday as they earned a 3-0 home win over Peamount United.
Alex Kavanagh opened the scoring with a beautiful free-kick 18 minutes in, and they doubled their advantage before the interval with Kate Mooney scoring right on the whistle.
Mooney made sure of the win with her second five minutes into the second half to ensure they drew level with Athlone, but it ultimately wasn't enough to keep their title hopes alive on a day when Pearl Slattery earned her 200th cap for the club.
The season may be winding up, but Sligo Rovers still achieved an important first as their 2-1 win over Cork City was their first victory of the league season.
Played in atrocious conditions, there was a late change of venue from St Colman’s Park to Leeside but both sides were quickly out of the blocks with Muireann Devaney putting Sligo ahead after 15 minutes before Christina Dring replied for the hosts, playing their final league game of the season, just two minutes later.
Wexford and Shamrock Rovers played out an entertaining 2-2 draw with the visitors overcoming a two-goal half-time deficit.
It was all going so well for Wexford with early subsitute Leah McGrath grabbing her first senior goal for the club as she pounced on a defensive error before captain Kylie Murphy made it two.
Shamrock Rovers made a lightning fast start to the second half though with goals from Emily Corbett and Melissa O’Kane, but neither side could find a winner at Ferrycarrig Park.
Treaty United caught the eye with a 1-0 win over third-placed Galway United.
Danielle Steer grabbed the only goal of the game, perfectly placing her penalty low into the corner in the 72nd minute.
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