SOCCER/Shelbourne - 2 Bohemians - 1: And so, in the end, they really did do it on the pitch. Had they thought it was going to be anything like this few neutrals probably would have begrudged Shelbourne the replayed game against Bohemians Ollie Byrne had been fighting for in recent weeks but no matter, they didn't need it. Goals from Stuart Byrne and Glen Crowe were enough to deliver a third championship title in four years to Tolka Park.

The three points here were hard earned and though the homeside were always on top during the second half the longer the game went on without the third Shelbourne goal the more their fans must have dreaded a Bohemians equaliser that would have cost the home side the triumph.

Towards the end, though, even the majority of the visiting fans started to accept the inevitable and most had left by the time the final whistle sounded so as to avoid having to see their rivals presented with the silverware.

For Pat Felon and his players a successful end to what has been the most trying of campaigns was clearly sweet enough. "I'm just so proud of my players tonight," said the Shelbourne boss. Stuart Byre, who scored a first half equaliser for his side from the penalty spot launched an angry attack on Derry City manager Stephen Kenny, describing his behaviour over the past season as "despicable" in relation to the various disputes that have gone on.

But the club captain, Owen Heary expressed quiet satisfaction with the way the campaign had concluded. "For me it's the biggest thing I've won, the best of the five of them because of all we've been through. In the end, we've done it. Even tonight we had to come from behind but we showed we had the balls to win. You need character to be champions and this evening all of our lads showed that they have that."

For a while early on, it hadn't actually looked good for the hosts who found themselves behind after some calamitous goalkeeping by Steve Williams and seemed, briefly, to be at a loss as to how to get on top against spirited, not to mention highly motivated opponents.

Bohemians started brightly and their defence initially coped well with the challenge of Jason Byrne and Glen Crowe while Kevin Hunt and Thomas Heary comfortably held their own against Stuart Byrne and Joseph Ndo in the centre of midfield.

Still it was the Dalymount club that managed to get its nose in front after 15 minutes when a Stephen Rice free was headed harmlessly in the direction of Williams by Stephen Caffrey. That should have been an end to the matter and the Bohemians defender, for one, clearly thought it was for he turned and started back for his own area unaware that the goalkeeper had spilled the ball onto his own goalline and with Barry Ferguson in close attention the ball ended up in the back of the net.

At the other end John Paul Kelly handed the home side the chance of an equaliser when he rashly threw an arm into the air as he sought to block Bobby Ryan's cross and Stuart Byrne made no mistake from the penalty spot.

Crowe then put his side in front with a fine close range volley as he arrived on the edge of the six yard box between Rice and Ferguson.

Playing at the same frantic pace, Shelbourne maintained their dominance in the second half and while there was little enough football of really quality, no one could dispute how exciting an encounter it was. They had chances to make the game safe but had to wait instead for the final whistle to get the party started.

SHELBOURNE: Williams; Heary, Hawkins, Dillion, Rogers; Ryan (Baker, 83 mins), S Byrne, Ndo (O'Halloran, half-time), Cahill; J Byrne (Harris, 57 mins), Crowe.

BOHEMIANS: O'Brien; Rice, Ferguson, Caffrey, Powell; O'Reilly, Hunt (Duggan, 69 mins), Heary (Mooney, 85 mins), Kelly (Brady 90 mins); Dunphy, McGuiness.

Referee: A Kelly (Cork).