Shamrock Rovers are the 2021 SSE Airtricity League Champions, after a 3-0 win over Finn Harps in tonight’s meeting at Tallaght Stadium.

It was a perfect night for the Hoops, as the game went according to script for them to record their 19th title. Daniel Mandroiu scored a brace in the opening half, while Aidomo Emakhu added the third late on, with an exception solo effort.

The result further increases the threat of relegation for Harps, but with Waterford also failing to take points tonight, they will aim to bounce back next week.

It didn't take long for Rovers to break the deadlock as Mandroiu struck a shot past Mark McGinley, to get his 11th goal of the season; after just three minutes.

Following their early opener, the Tallaght outfit dominated the ball, continuing to break down the Harps defence in search of a second goal. 

Just minutes later Dylan Watts played an exceptional ball into the area, with Mandroiu on hand to see his diving header, fly past McGinley for their second in the 23rd minute.

McGinley was the busier of the two goalkeepers all night, the Donegal stopper needed to be at his best, to palm away efforts by Neil Farrugia and Rory Gaffney.

The visitors did not trouble The Hoops for the entire opening half, McGinley deserving the playoffs for keeping his side just two behind going into the break.

Into the second half Rovers were seeking a third goal, Watts and Madroiu testing McGinley again, the veteran goalkeeper keeping the game at 2-0, as we passed the hour mark.

Both teams emptied the bench, as Harps remained passive in front of the target, while the Dubliners were doing their best to put the result beyond doubt.

It was the late change of Aidomo Emakhu that sealed all three points, the young forward finished off a perfect night in Tallaght, as he danced past the onrushing McGinley, and finished to an empty net.

For the full 90 minutes there was an electric atmosphere, and as the referee blew the full time whistle, the flares, smoke and supporters all made their way onto the pitch, to celebrate back to back titles for Shamrock Rovers.