Dundalk's coronation took place on Friday night after the champions produced a sublime display to dismantle Sligo Rovers and rewrite the League of Ireland history books yet again.
Stephen Kenny's side started the game sitting on 83 points, two short of Bohemians' record haul in 2008, but they simply blew the Bit o'Red away to stake their claim as the greatest ever.
There was a party atmosphere around the ground even before a ball was kicked with local singer David Martin belting out a superb version of 'Nessun Dorma' just before kick off.
The Sligo players awarded the champions a guard of honour as they came onto the pitch but Dundalk ripped into the visitors right from the start.
It's celebration time! Dundalk lift the SSE Airtricity Premier Division trophy following their victory over Sligo Rovers. pic.twitter.com/MNzkpwH3mi
— Soccer Republic (@SoccRepublic) October 19, 2018
Just four minutes had elapsed when Patrick McEleney was hacked down in the box after dazzling Kyle McFadden with his quick feet but 19-year-old goalkeeper Ed McGinty tipped Patrick Hoban's penalty onto the post.
Dundalk continued to attack in waves and Michael Duffy had an effort ruled out for offside before Hoban guided a free header over the top from a Dean Jarvis corner.
A breakthrough looked imminent and it arrived in the ninth minute when Ronan Murray collected a Sean Gannon pass on his chest and played the ball inside for Mountney who lifted it brilliantly over McGinty with his left foot.
Brian Dorrian, who was promoted to the Sligo hot seat following Ger Lyttle's departure during the week, watched his side try in vain to get a foothold in the game.
Dundalk, however, continued to buzz with intent and Duffy cut in from the left and shaped to go across goal before dragging a vicious effort inside the keeper's right-hand post with 33 minutes played.
Mountney, who signed a new two-year contract with the Lilywhites on Wednesday, made it 3-0 before the break, rising highest to meet a Dean Jarvis cross and loop a header home.
The Mayoman shipped a heavy knock scoring that goal with Dylan Connolly taking this place at half-time and the winger put the ball on a plate for Hoban to angle an effort at goal in the 55th minute but McFadden was there to clear off the line.
Hoban would not be denied and he racked up goal number 28 just four minutes later, beating McGinty from the penalty spot on this occasion after Sean Gannon was taken down by substitute Niall Morahan.
A crowd of 3,877 came to take in ’trophy night' and they were on their feet again in the 65th minute when Hoban swept home a Connolly cross to make it 5-0 and bring his tally to 29 for the season, equalling Brendan Bradley's 42-year old record.
Lee Lynch went close to pulling one back for the visitors, his spectacular 45-yard effort clipping the top of Gary Rogers' bar, but Dundalk finished with a flourish and substitute Dane Massey was denied a sixth by McGinty's late save.
Dundalk: Gary Rogers; Sean Gannon, Brian Gartland, Sean Hoare, Dean Jarvis; Chris Shields (Dane Massey 77), Patrick McEleney; John Mountney (Dylan Connolly HT), Ronan Murray (Jamie McGrath 63), Michael Duffy; Patrick Hoban.
Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; Kyle McFadden, Seamus Sharkey, John Mahon, Liam Kerrigan (Darren Collins 74); Kris Twardek, Lee J Lynch, Rhys McCabe, Jack Keane, Adam Wixted (Niall Morahan HT); Mikey Drennan.
Referee: Rob Rogers.
