Shamrock Rovers' five-in-a-row ambitions were foiled by Damien Duff's Shelbourne on a night of unforgettable drama in Tallaght and Derry.
As news emerged that Shelbourne had taken a late lead at Brandywell, Waterford fans began to goad the hosts – only for a false-flag-celebration within minutes among the home fans, at least one of whom must have at one stage believed Derry had equalised.
It was so loud one assumed that Derry had equalised – it was not to be, and Rovers have finally surrendered in a title battle for the first time in five years.
It was all hard to take in, with TV footage on the laptops in the press area a long and haunting delay from being live, and a raucous Tallaght became more funereal as reality set in: Derry were going to let Rovers down and Duffer's Shels had pulled off an incredible shock – unconsidered at the start of the season.
An early Johnny Kenny's goal on four minutes was followed by Dylan Watts' apparent safety net on 55 but Podge Amond's 69th-minute reply had Rovers rattled. They held on for the win that ultimately was not enough; the Hoops' poor first half of the season was their undoing.
With the Conference League going well for Stephen Bradley's men, their year will go on for another couple of months or so, but Duff, a former Hoops player and underage coach here, had the last laugh.
Perhaps neutrals across the league will be relieved that Rovers' gallop has come to a halt, and the home fans' reaction afterwards reflected that they were proud of what Stephen Bradley's men achieved even in a disappointing league season. His players oh so nearly pulled it off, having looked dead about a couple of months ago.
Rarely if ever has Bradley played a team with such attacking intent and rare too does one see a better League of Ireland side in terms of technical prowess. Jack Byrne, potential player of the season Dylan Watts and Graham Burke were sure to have plenty of the football.
Blues have seen their season die off rather tamely but their return to the top flight was impressive for most of the term and, considering they had nothing to play for, they brought a decent travelling contingent to the capital. Keith Long's side were here to enjoy themselves without normal duress and Connor Parsons brought an early booking from a back-pedalling Pico Lopes. The free-kick came to nothing and Rovers were ahead with their next attack.
Graham Burke, in sublime form of late, tried to beat the Blues' high defensive line and, despite Shane Flynn getting a touch, Kenny was through on goal and dinked over Sam Sargeant with such nonchalance as if he were taking part in a match in training.
A gorgeous Rovers move on 13 minutes saw Jack Byrne flash a ball across the box to no response. Neil Farrugia's pace was then key as Parsons attacked him one on one after an outside-of-the-foot assist from goalkeeper Sam Sargeant that any outfielder would have been happy to achieve.
Farrugia did the needful. At the other end, 17 absorbing minutes about to end, Darragh Burns was nearly in but Blues survived.
Waterford may have had nothing to play for but they knew Lopes was booked and any opportunity to take aim at him with a dribble was going to be considered, Parsons unable to get by him but the danger was clear. Indeed, Waterford had a massive opening on 19 minutes. Under pressure, Josh Honohan headed directly at Parsons, whose shot was rather too direct at a relieved Leon Pohls.
The Parsons versus Lopes chapter of this story was captivating and again Lopes put a foot in on 21 minutes, Parsons down injured and Lopes perhaps reflecting on a long night ahead. Burns then found Kenny with a cracking pass but the Celtic loanee's control let him down.
Farrugia was then really lucky not to see yellow for a late tackle on Darragh Power as Blues enjoyed a nice spell of pressure. Grant Horton had to nick in and prevent Burke from a shot at goal from inside the box
It was striking how comfortably Waterford were able to pass the ball about in midfield, Rovers' press ineffective by virtue of having so many players who do not major in pressing the opposition. Blues looked set to score on 40 minutes as Lee Grace brilliantly stopped Parons from likely scoring from around ten yards after a fine Flynn cross on the left.
Jack Byrne had a poor first half and one wondered, a little like Oriel Park last week: can Rovers be as vulnerable in the second half?
Watts looks odds-on to be named player of the year and he did his prospects no harm with the second goal. Having initially seen a shot blocked at the edge of the box, Watts was patient and, after Neil Farrugia's effort smacked off the bar, Watts was composed to slot home about eight yards out. Over in Brandywell, Derry were within inches of going ahead – the drama was bubbling.
Podge Amond, one of the other nominees for player of the year, had his first opening when heading wide after a beautiful Flynn cross. Blues were not giving in.
Burke teed up Kenny for the second sitter he missed in a week as Rovers did all they could to kill off the tie. By now, the audience became the drama: an explosion of noise would follow any Derry goal, an unsettling melody of murmur and anxious looks if Shels scored. Little did we know, but it turned out to be more than what the home fans thought they knew.
Former Hoop Amond's riposte in front of the Blues fans brought no little noise on 69 minutes and it was a goal of striking intuition and class. Dean McMenamy's cross showcased Amond's superb movement – he had yards to make on Lopes – and the veteran managed to hook the ball across goal and beyond Pohls. Game on!
Incredibly, Amond then eased off his marker at the back post and headed off the top of the crossbar after a deep Darragh Power cross, Pohls floundering. Rovers, who looked home for all money, were suddenly reduced to having all 11 players in their own half – and there was still around 20 minutes to debate!
Rovers fans were aware Derry were still holding Shels to a draw – now more concerned that Rovers could not get a foothold. Barry Bagley was outstanding for Blues and Amond flashed a volley over at the back post, Rovers fretting.
Aaron Greene was nearly in six minutes from time after fine play from a visibly tiring Watts – Byrne and Gary O'Neill had both been taken off at this stage – but Sargeant got down to block his route to goal.
The game became an aside then as everyone waited on news from across the border. Even Stephen Bradley believed the noise and its implication that Derry had equalised after Shels' goal – one cannot repeat what he said when he realised the ruse.
It all fizzled out. This season, at least, deserved such drama. Bring on 2025.
Shamrock Rovers: Leon Pohls; Josh Honohan, Roberto Lopes, Lee Grace; Neil Farrugia, Gary O'Neill (Marcus Poom 81), Dylan Watts, Jack Byrne (Aaron McEneff 68), Darragh Burns; Graham Burke (Aaron Greene 68); Johnny Kenny (Marc McNulty 81).
Waterford: Sam Sargeant; Darragh Power, Darragh Leahy, Grant Horton, Kacper Radkowski, Shane Flynn (Ryan Burke 61); Barry Baggley, Ben McCormack, Dean McMenamy (Rowan McDonald 72); Connor Parsons (Christie Pattisson 80), Padraig Amond.
Referee: Neil Doyle (Dublin).
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