And then there were two! It's been an unpredictable League of Ireland title race but coming into Friday's climax, the picture is clear for the two clubs left standing.
SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division leaders Shelbourne know a win at Derry City live on RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player will end an 18-year wait for league glory regardless of what happens elsewhere.
But should they lose or draw, then Shamrock Rovers - holders of the goal difference advantage - will win a record fifth title in a row if the Hoops beat Waterford at Tallaght Stadium in a match which will also be broadcast simultaneously on the RTÉ News channel and RTÉ Player.
But last time Rovers welcomed Waterford to Tallaght Stadium they fell to a 3-1 defeat back in May, although Stephen Bradley's side won the season's two other head-to-heads on the road at The RSC.
Meanwhile, Shels have met Derry four times this campaign, drawing all three league fixtures but losing 2-0 to the Candystripes in September's FAI Cup clash.
So can Damien Duff's side buck that trend on Friday night and get their hands on the league trophy?
Former St Patrick's Athletic and Shamrock Rovers goalkeeper Barry Murphy isn't that optimistic about Shels' chances of winning up at the Brandywell, as he and former Republic of Ireland, Saints and Drogheda United winger Keith Treacy joined the RTÉ Soccer Podcast to preview the final day and share their contrasting title destination predictions.
Listen to the RTÉ Soccer podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
Murphy pointed to Shels' recent record against Derry being even worse when one extends the timespan back beyond the confines of this season.
The north Dublin club last tasted victory in the head-to-head scenario in April 2022, losing four times and drawing seven since, while Ruaidhri Higgins' side have been strong at home in 2024.
"They haven't beaten them in 11 meetings and Derry have only lost twice at home this season, so it's a tall order," Murphy said of Shels' task.
"But this season is full of unexpected things so another chance for Shels to add to that list on Friday night.
"I just feel that it will go to goal difference. I just have a feeling that Derry will do enough on the day because there is such a furore now around Ruaidhri Higgins and his tenure up there and the fans maybe turning a little bit.
"(Derry have) had three seasons of this not getting over the line, haven't really built a team; where you look at the likes of Pat's since Stephen (Kenny) has come in have started to put the real seeds of a team for next season.
"Derry just haven't done that. They maybe have 13 good players and they haven't added to that into a championship-winning side and I just feel that Derry need to go out and do something on Friday night to appease the fans before a cup final."
Murphy and Treacy also discussed Shamrock Rovers' academy which is set to be recognised as a Tusla-regulated childcare service in a move that could revolutionise the funding of youth players in Irish football.
Ultimately, while Murphy expects Shamrock Rovers to get over the line by at least goal difference, Treacy thinks Waterford will relish the role of party poopers at Tallaght Stadium even if Keith Long's side no longer have anything tangible to play for this season.
"I took great enjoyment in being a spoiler, I really did," he said, also highlighting the attacking threats in the Blues' ranks.
"When (opposition) teams think 'we're going to win the league' and the promotion party is set and you're walking down the tunnel and you see all the champagne on ice, you're thinking, 'I'm going to mess all this up for everybody'.
"And I'm sure the Waterford players will be thinking, 'Let's do that', as will the Derry players."
Treacy acknowledged that Rovers have found real momentum in recent weeks but is still tipping Shelbourne to hold up their end of the bargain by winning at Derry, tipping in-form centre-forward Sean Boyd to be a potential protagonist.
"It's a one-off game, it's a cup final and I think Shelbourne will just do enough by hook or by crook," he said.
"I don't think it's going to be pretty. I think it's going to be a really physical game, fiercely contested but I have a feeling that man Sean Boyd will just get his head on the end of something or force the ball into the back of the net and they will not let Derry score.
"So I've nailed my colours to the mast. I said Shelbourne from very early on and I'll stick with it."
Watch Derry City v Shelbourne in the League of Ireland on Friday from 7.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Shamrock Rovers v Waterford is also live on the RTÉ News channel and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on RTÉ.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app.
We need your consent to load this rte-player contentWe use rte-player to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences
