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Arun - March 26, 2026
While February is normally a dark, grey, gloomy, cold month of the year, for Irish football fans, this year it was one of the most eagerly anticipated months of the year. Why? Because it marked the beginning of the 2026 League of Ireland season.
In what is the 42nd season of this prestigious competition, 10 teams from across Ireland will battle it out in a bid to be crowned victors. This year’s season got off to a flying start, with recently promoted Dundalk under a lot of pressure as they replaced Cork City. Despite being only 8 games into the season, they have, thus far, impressed, though we’ll look at that in more detail a little later on.
Despite Dundalk nabbing a few of the headlines, all eyes will surely be on bookmaker’s favourites Shamrock Rovers, who last season, clinched their 10th Premier Division title, and their 22nd title overall. They are clearly a force to be reckoned with, and this is very much reflected in the bookmaker’s odds.
So, will Rovers be able to take their tally to 11 and secure 6 titles out of their last 7, or will St Patricks have something to say?
When you consider the fact that Shamrock Rovers have dominated this league for so many years, if you were a betting man or woman, you’d certainly be tempted to have a cheeky punt on them.
The bookmakers also agree. Before the start of the season, Shamrock Rovers were favourites to win the league, and 8 games in, that sentiment remains. Rovers are early odds on favourites to win the league, with Irish bookmakers on Irishbetting.ie such as BOYLE Sports and Bet365 offering 11/10 odds for Rovers to secure yet another title on the bounce.
Despite still being favourites, Shamrock are not off to as dominant-a-start as many would have expected at the start of last month. They got off to a good start against St Patrick’s, whom bookies are also tipping for good things this season, but they have dropped a few points here and there. They’ve drawn two games this season already, and were even defeated 3-2 by Bohemians.
Despite getting off to sluggish start and sitting 3rd in the table with 18 points, bookmakers are still confident that Shamrock Rovers are the favs.
Although Shamrock Rovers are still favourites at this stage in the career, that could very well change in the weeks to come, especially if St Patrick’s Athletic F.C have anything to say about it.
St Patrick’s currently sit 2nd in the league, 2 points clear of favourites Shamrock Rovers, on 17 points.
They may have been slow to take their feet off the gas, beginning the season with a 0-0 draw against Bohemians, but since then, they’ve been putting in some pretty impressive displays. Their only defeat thus far, ironically, came at the hands of their title rivals Shamrock.
Currently, bookmakers have St Patrick’s as second favs to secure the league, with both Bet365 and BOYLE Sports offering 7/2 odds.
One of the primary reasons why bookmakers are heavily backing St Patrick’s is down to their goal scoring ability. They’re not only winning matches, but are winning emphatically and scoring goals in the process. Former Leeds man, 24-year-old striker Ryan Edmondson for example, could prove incredibly valuable for St Pat’s, who has already netted 3 goals this season.
As of this writing, Bohemian F.C are currently sitting top of the league on 18 points. They’re currently undefeated, having picked up points against the top two favourites to win the league. They kicked off their campaign with a 0-0 draw against St Pat’s, before destroying Slingo Rovers 4 – 0, in which star forward Colm Whelan grabbed himself a hat-trick in the process.
In perhaps one of the most exciting games of the 2026 season however, the Bohemians actually defeated last year’s winners, and current favourites Shamrock Rovers 3 – 2. Again, Whelan showed why he could be such a difference maker this season.
In that match against Rovers, they very nearly threw away a 3-goal lead, conceding two goals after 90 minutes. Fortunately, for them, they hung on, but could the pressure get to them? Bookmakers currently think so, as, despite currently topping the league, they’re fourth placed outsiders to win in October. BOYLE Sports have them at 9/2 to win the league, whereas Bet365 are offering 6/1 odds.
If you don’t fancy backing the favourites and want a very real shot of seeing some good returns, recently promoted Dundalk might be worth a punt.
Currently in 5th place, with 11 points to their name, they’ve scrappily been picking up points here and there, holding their opponents to draws. Eoin Kenny could potentially be the gamechanger here, as he has showcased a distinct ability to finish his chances when in front of goal. He grabbed 2 late goals in a 5-0 trouncing of Waterford, which will have done his confidence a world of good.
Dundalk are currently 40/1 to win the league with BOYLE Sports, and 25/1 with Bet365.
