Season review: Republic of Ireland

The 2014 season in the Republic of Ireland was one of redemption for coach Stephen Kenny, dismissed just months into a three-year contract by previous club Shamrock Rovers FC, and Dundalk FC, who fended off competition from Cork City FC to land their first league title in 19 years.

Champions: Dundalk FC
Runners-up in 2013, the aim for Dundalk was to go one better and win the championship. After a dismal start – a 4-1 loss on the opening day – Kenny's side went on a stunning run of one defeat in their next 25 games. However, two draws in the final month of the campaign meant Cork headed to Dundalk on the final day needing only a point to be crowned champions. Dundalk, though, inspired by the return of captain Stephen O'Donnell after a six-month injury lay-off, won 2-0 to come top of the pile.

Cup final: Saint Patrick's Athletic FC 2-0 Derry City FC
Grown men shed tears of joy as St Patrick's lifted the FAI Cup for the first time in 53 years, two second-half goals from striker Christy Fagan earning the capital club victory.

European places*
Dundalk FC – UEFA Champions League second qualifying round
Cork City FC – UEFA Europa League first qualifying round
Saint Patrick's Athletic FC – UEFA Europa League first qualifying round
Shamrock Rovers FC – UEFA Europa League first qualifying round

*subject to final confirmation from UEFA

Christy Fagan©Sportsfile

Player of the year: Christy Fagan (Saint Patrick's Athletic FC)
The Dublin native has had spells in England, Scotland and Spain since leaving home aged 16 for an apprenticeship with Manchester United FC, but did not truly establish himself until this term. Though scoring away to Legia Warszawa in the UEFA Champions League second qualifying round was an individual highlight, the 25-year-old Fagan also struck both goals in the cup final, finished joint-leading scorer in the Premier Division and was voted player of the year by his peers.

One to watch: Sean Hoare (Saint Patrick's Athletic FC)
A squad player in the Saints team that won the league in 2013, defender Hoare, 20, established himself in the lineup this year, earning a winners' medal in the FAI Cup and also promotion to the Republic of Ireland Under-21 side.

Surprise package: Cork City FC
Rated outsiders for the title in 2014, Cork successfully used a mixture of experience (former Republic of Ireland midfielder Colin Healy) and youth (current U21 defender Brian Lenihan, sold to Hull City in mid-term) to mount a real challenge to long-time leaders Dundalk. Though they fell 2-0 in the title decider, a return to continental competition with a 2015/16 UEFA Europa League place made it a successful season.

Leading scorer: Christy Fagan, Saint Patrick's Athletic FC; Patrick Hoban, Dundalk FC (20)

Relegated: Athlone Town AFC, University College Dublin AFC

Promoted: Longford Town FC, Galway FC

Number: 106
Goals scored by Dundalk in all competitions.

Quote
"HISTORY!!!!!! THE 53 YEARS ARE OVER!!!!!!!! WE WILL LIFT THE CUP!!!!
VICTORY!!!!!!"
Wendell Pierce, United States-born actor and star of TV show The Wire, discovers an interest in St Patrick's via his home-town NFL team New Orleans Saints and tweets his support from @WendellPierce after the Dublin outfit won the FAI Cup for the first time in five decades.