1993 League of Ireland Championship Play-offs

The 1993 League of Ireland Championship Play-offs took place following a three-way tie at the top of the Premier Division following the end of the regular season. Bohemians, Cork City, and reigning champions Shelbourne all finished with 40 points after 32 matches.

Last Day of Regular Season

On the last day of the regular season, Bohemians only needed to draw away to Dundalk to secure the championship as they had a two point advantage over both Shelbourne and Cork City. However Bohemians team bus broke down before they had even left Dublin and they eventually arrived late for their match in Dundalk.

Shelbourne's home match with Derry City and Cork's home match with Limerick started at the scheduled time despite Bohemians match being delayed. Cork won their match comfortably 3-0, but Shels only won 1-0 with a goal in the last minute by Paul Doolin.

All eyes (and ears) where then averted to Dundalk as Bohemians hoped to take their first title since 1978. However their hopes were dashed as a Tom McNulty goal meant that Bohs were to finish level with Shels and Cork sending the league into an unprecedented three-way play-off.

First Series of Play-offs

Following consultation between the League of Ireland and the three clubs, it was decided that the play-offs would be decided by a series of home and away matches between the clubs.

footballbox
date = 17 April
team1 = Cork City
score = 1 – 0
report =
team2 = Bohemians
goals1 =
goals2 =
stadium = Bishopstown
attendance =
referee = ----footballbox
date = 25 April
team1 = Shelbourne
score = 1 – 0
report =
team2 = Cork City
goals1 =
goals2 =
stadium = Tolka Park
attendance =
referee = ----footballbox
date = 29 April
team1 = Bohemians
score = 2 – 1
report =
team2 = Shelbourne
goals1 =
goals2 =
stadium = Dalymount Park
attendance =
referee = ----footballbox
date = 2 May
team1 = Cork City
score = 1 – 1
report =
team2 = Shelbourne
goals1 =
goals2 =
stadium = Bishopstown
attendance =
referee = ----footballbox
date = 5 May
team1 = Bohemians
score = 0 – 0
report =
team2 = Cork City

goals1 =
goals2 =
stadium = Dalymount Park
attendance =
referee = ----footballbox
date = 8 May
team1 = Shelbourne
score = 0 – 0
report =
team2 = Bohemians
goals1 =
goals2 =
stadium = Tolka Park
attendance =
referee =

As all three teams finished level on 4 points, another series of play-offs was needed.

econd Series of Play-offs

It was decided that the second series of play-offs would involve the three teams playing each other once at neutral venues. During the break between the first and second series of play-offs, Shelbourne won the FAI Cup and so were all ready guaranteed European football for the 1993/94 season and were therefore on course for the 'double'.

footballbox
date = 17 April
team1 = Cork City
score = 1 – 0
report =
team2 = Bohemians
goals1 =
goals2 =
stadium = Turners Cross
attendance =
referee = ----footballbox
date = 25 April
team1 = Shelbourne
score = 2 – 3
report =
team2 = Cork City
goals1 =
goals2 =
stadium = RDS Showgrounds
attendance =
referee = ----footballbox
date = 27 May
team1 = Bohemians

score = 2 – 1
report =
team2 = Shelbourne
goals1 =
goals2 =
stadium = RDS Showgrounds
attendance =
referee =

"Cork City win League of Ireland championship and enter the European Cup for the 1993/94 season.""Bohemians enter the UEFA Cup for the 1993/94 season."