Monday night's Premier Division double-header will almost certainly go down as the night the title was decided.
Dundalk's 3-0 win away to Longford Town, officially relegated Alan Mathews' team. Just over an hour away on the N4, Cork City lost 3-1 to St. Patrick's Athletic.
The two results meant that Dundalk, now have a seven-point lead over Cork City with three league games remaining. What promised to be an exciting conclusion to the Premier League season, looks now like it will end with games to spare.
In what could be the defining night of the league campaign, that has seen Dundalk and Cork dominate, less than 900 fans combined were in attendance at both games.
495 the official attendance at City Calling Stadium. It's made up of mostly Dundalk supporters
— Longford Leader (@Longford_Leader) October 17, 2016
Attendance at Richmond Park - 369. Hmm.
— Philip Quinn (@Quinner61) October 17, 2016
When the Premier League announced their intention to play a limited amount of games of a Friday night, it was seen as a threat to the League of Ireland. Fans would have the option of following their own teams or watching some cross-channel action from the comfort of their own homes.
Monday night's action in Anfield was heavily promoted by Sky Sports earning the cringey monkier of 'Red Monday'. The game turned out to be one of the worst of the season, as Liverpool and Manchester United played out a scoreless draw.
While the attendances would have undoubtedly been far higher if Dundalk and Cork City were at home, it serves as a reminder that the League of Ireland still faces many issues, despite the European success of Dundalk.
Thursday's game against Zenit St Petersburg will see thousands of fans travel to Tallaght for Dundalk's game. The next test, is to get them to other games around the country.
