October 2nd to 3rd - With just four games to go, Shamrock Rovers hold an eight point lead at the top of the table. Sligo Rovers were the latest team to come unstuck at Tallaght as the Hoops scored four without reply. Once Ronan Finn had opened the scoring it was plain sailing - further goals came courtesy of Graham Burke, Jack Byrne and Dylan Watts. That's fourteen goals scored and one conceded in the last three games for the champions elect. Mathematically it's five points needed but realistically it's four as their goal difference is far superior to Bohemians.

Danny Grant was the hero for Bohemians as they beat Shelbourne in the Northside Groundshare Derby at Tolka Park Grant scored a hat trick as Bohs consolidated their second place in the table. Georgie Poynton scored a consolation late on the hosts after missing a penalty when Shels were only one down.

Finn Harps picked up a point in the relegation battle. They held Europa League qualifiers Dundalk to a scoreless draw at Oriel Park on Sunday evening. As with last week's game, Dundalk rested most of their first choice eleven with bigger games ahead in Europe. That point put Ollie Horgan's side two clear of Cork City but they've played a game more. Cork's game in hand will be at home to Dundalk on Tuesday week.

Cork slipped up at home to St Patrick's Athletic on Saturday evening - two goals in the first ten minutes - an Alan Bennett own goal and one from Jordan Gibson secured the points for the Inchicore side despite Gearoid Morrissey pulling one back for the Leesiders.

The weekend had kicked off with Conor Clifford scoring twice from the spot as Derry City beat Waterford on Friday evening.

The early leaderboard for October sees the lead shared by Caroline Carroll and Sean O'Mairtin who both have 32 points. Derek McDonald is third on 27 points followed by Gary McGurk and Paul Moore who complete the top five - full details below:

October 9th to 13th - Two defeats in four days leave Cork City is serious trouble at the bottom of the table. With Neale Fenn departing his post on Thursday, Colin Healy took charge for the trip to Bohemians on Friday evening. A three-nil win for Bohs ensured some life in the title race. Two goals from Andre Wright and one from Danny Grant ensured European football for the Phibsboro side again next season. The Leesiders put up more of a fight on Tuesday night but a two-nil defeat at home to Dundalk means Cork are now two points adrift of Finn Harps having played a game more. Pat Hoban was back on the scoresheet in that one, scoring twice for visitors to move one ahead of Jack Byrne in the race for the Irish equivalent of the golden boot award.

The only other game this weekend saw Shelbourne put a dent in Waterford's European ambitions. A late Ryan Brennan goal earned a one-nil win for Ian Morris's side, easing any lingering fears of relegation they might have had.

An excellent return of 26 points from the three games sees Caroline Carroll open up a ten point lead at the top of the October leaderboard. John Brophy and Sean O'Mairtin share second place on 48 points. The top five for the month is completed by Derek McDonald and Joe Behan - all the details below:

October 16th to 19th - An outbreak of Covid-19 in the Shamrock Rovers camp meant two fixtures were chalked off the fixture list ensuring the Hoops wouldn't be crowned champions this weekend. Bohemians drew nil-all at Dundalk on Friday night. If the Gypsies drop points at home to Finn Harps next Saturday night then Shamrock Rovers will be confirmed as league winners despite the best efforts of the pandemic virus.

Gary Deegan scored the only goal at Tolka Park on Sunday evening as Shelbourne beat Sligo Rovers one-nil. That win should see Ian Morris side preserve their top flight status for next season. Cork put up a spirited performance in a nil-all draw with Waterford. However, they are now a point behind Finn Harps having played two games more.

Monday evening's game saw three goals in the first quarter of an hour as Dundalk beat Derry at the Ryan McBride Stadium. Jordan Flores and Sean Murray scored for the visitors before Darren Cole pulled one back for the hosts. Three more points from their last two games should ensure European football again for the Lilywhites next season (assuming they don't win the Europa League of course ; ) )

Andy Dunne picked up 32 points from the 4 games this weekend to move into the lead in the October competition. His points haul included two ten-pointers and two five-pointers. He's only two points clear of John Brophy though so there's still life in the monthly contest. Joe Behan is in third place with Paul Moore and Derek McDonald completing the top five.

October 22nd to 24th - Shamrock Rovers' 18th title was confirmed on Saturday night when Bohemians slipped to a two-nil defeat at home to Finn Harps. Mark Russell was the toast of Tallaght with a goal in each half which finally put the Phibsborough side out of their misery in the title race.

The result also confirmed Cork City's relegation from the top division. Their two-one defeat at Sligo on Saturday evening only postponed the inevitable for a few hours. The worst case scenario for Ollie Horgan's side now is a relegation play off. However, with the Donegal side gaining some late season momentum, Derry, Pats and Shelbourne will all be looking nervously over their shoulders. The three sides are five points clear but with a number of games in hand for different teams, the play off picture will only become a bit clearer towards the weekend.

The weekend's other games saw Dundalk lose one-nil at Waterford. John Martin scored the only goal of that game in the second half. Derry beat Shelbourne two-nil on Friday night with goals from Joe Thomson and Walter Figueria.

A timely ten pointer from Waterford's win over Dundalk saw Paul Moore move into first place in the October competition. With just Wednesday night's two games to go, he has a five point lead over Andy Dunne. John Brophy is third, three points further back. Gary McGurk is in fourth place while Caroline Carroll and Joe Behan share fifth place - full details below:

October 28th - The month ended with a dramatic game at Ballybofey. Knowing their worst case scenario was a play-off place at worst, Finn Harps did their best to avoid relegation automatically. They beat St Patrick's Athletic three-two to move to within two points of Shelbourne with a game in hand. Ryan Connolly scored the winner from the spot after Pat's had fought back from two down to level.

Not many people opted for Ollie Horgan's side to win so the top four remained unchanged. Paul Moore won the monthly competition with 83 points. Andy Dunne remained in second place, 5 points behind, but with a bigger prize to come in the main competition. John Brophy was third with Gary McGurk fourth. Derek McDonald, one of the few people to pick a Finn Harps win, finished fifth for the month. Full details below:

The Greatest League - October Leaderboard

1

1

0

Paul Moore

Niall Quinn's Disco Pants

83

83

0

2

2

0

Andy Dunne

Ballymore Shamrocks

78

78

0

3

3

0

John Brophy

We're Not Shels

75

75

0

4

4

0

Gary McGurk

Chelfest 2013

73

73

0

5

7

2

Derek McDonald

Super Shels

71

66

5

6

5

-1

Caroline Carroll

Tarzan's 11

70

70

0

7

6

-1

Joe Behan

Melchester Rovers

70

70

0

8

9

1

Joe Turner

The Dairymen of Stradbrook

66

61

5

9

8

-1

Sean O'Mairtin

EMFA Returns

65

65

0

10

10

0

Keith Ryan

Wearethewanderers

61

61

0

11

11

0

Dean Fletcher

Fletchy's Flyers

58

58

0

12

12

0

Aidan Scanlon

Kilflynn Santos

56

56

0

13

20

7

Ciaran O'Hart

Riverchapel Plate

54

49

5

14

13

-1

Eamon Fox

Culchies United

53

53

0

15

14

-1

Gary Keating

Brohemians

53

53

0

16

15

-1

Graeme Buckley

Canyoneroes

53

53

0

17

16

-1

Tommy Hamill

Omeath Allstars

53

53

0

18

17

-1

David Miley

Dallas Cowboys

51

51

0

19

18

-1

Jay Thomas

Tallaght Toppers

51

51

0

20

19

-1

Niall Carroll

The Yellow Bellies

51

51

0

21

21

0

Derek Kelly

SRFC1725

48

48

0

22

27

5

Gerry Draper

Everton10

48

43

5

23

22

-1

Eoghan Brophy

Tolka Dreamers

46

46

0

24

29

5

Fiachra O'Brolachain

Trailerpark Rovers

46

41

5

25

23

-2

Joseph Kavanagh

Joey's Invincibles

46

46

0

26

24

-2

Trevor Rankin

Trev's Tossers

45

45

0

27

25

-2

Davy Doyle

Whitechurch FC

43

43

0

28

26

-2

Gary Donnelly

Cabinteely II

43

43

0

29

28

-1

Sean Taylor

O'Connor's Touting XI

43

43

0

30

33

3

Tom Keane

Hoopshoops

42

37

5

31

34

3

Alan Doyle

Shamrock Ravers

41

36

5

32

30

-2

Mark Welsh

3rdina2horserace

41

41

0

33

31

-2

Gary Fitzpatrick

Cabo Ultra's

38

38

0

34

32

-2

Gearoid McIntyre

Nobber Boys

38

38

0

35

35

0

Callum Dunne

Derry Girls

36

36

0

36

38

2

Darragh Kenny

Luca Connell CSC

36

31

5

37

36

-1

Chris Hinchey

Lilywhites

35

35

0

38

37

-1

David Moran

Wrightsaidfred

33

33

0

39

39

0

Gerry Moore

Rovers Are Red

28

28

0

40

40

0

Richard Johnston

Mayo For Sam

21

16

5

41

41

0

Josh Tobin

Team1

15

15

0

42

42

0

Kieran Harnett

Limerick United

12

12

0

43

43

0

Eoghan Farrelly

Definitely Last Chance Saloon

8

8

0

44

44

0

Hugh Keller

Hugh Jarse FC

8

8

0

45

45

0

Ian O'Reilly

Limerick City United Treaty 37 FC

8

8

0

46

46

0

Patrick Dempsey

Paddser's Whackers

8

8

0

47

47

0

Seamus McGowan

Bit O'Red

6

6

0

48

48

0

Breifne Earley

Leitrim Villa

4

4

0

49

49

0

Sean Keller

The Boys From Dalymount

4

4

0