Shamrock Rovers FC became in 1924-25 the first League of Ireland team to win the competition twice. The fourth season of the league began to look less like a Dublin-area league, with three teams from outside County Dublin represented: Athlone Town, plus newcomers Bray Unknowns from County Wicklow; and Fordsons, representing Ford Factory workers in Cork City.

Shamrock Rovers tallied 67 goals in their 18 games, conceding just 12 in total, as the Southsiders went through the league campaign undefeated, finishing three points clear of Northside rivals Bohemian FC. Another South Dublin City team, Shelbourne FC, based at Shelbourne Park in Ringsend, finished third, two points further back as the big Dublin rivalries intensified.

Fordsons, the first Cork team in the League of Ireland, finished fourth at the first attempt, although the works team were seven points below third-placed Shelbourne FC at the finish. Pioneers finished last with new entrants Bray Unknowns finishing four points above the Whitehall-based team in ninth place. Brooklyn finished in eighth place and dropped out of the League of Ireland for 1925-26 to be replaced by Brideville, from the Liberties in Dublin, who were elected to replace the City Centre team.

References 1921-1975

(1) Noel Dunne and Seán Ryan (1975) “Chapter 16 – League Tables 1921-1975” The Bass Book of Irish Soccer. pg. 108. Mercier Press, Dublin and Cork. Republic of Ireland.

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archives

First Published: 14 September 2026. Last Updated: 14 September 2026

(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and Eirball 2026

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