Shamrock Rovers are Premier Division champions for the 16th time, winning the Airtricity League title on goal difference from Bohemians amid scenes of wild jubilation after a tense and dramatic draw with Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds last night.

Hundreds of Rovers fans in the sell-out 4,500 crowd invaded the pitch at the final whistle to salute this first title win since 1994. There was joy unconfined as Michael O'Neill's men were showered in celebratory champagne as skipper Stephen Rice stepped forward to receive the trophy.

Bray looked the more dangerous side early on with Hoops keeper Alan  Mannus doing well to grab long range efforts from Gary Dempsey and Graham Kelly in quick succession.

Then central defender Adam Mitchell had a header just over the top after a dangerous corner by Dempsey on the right. All that early pressure told when the Seagulls took a shock lead on 20 minutes.

Referee Alan kelly played the advantage law after Rovers skipper Stephen Rice fouled Shane O'Neill in midfield. The ball fell kindly for in-form Jake Kelly to lob Mannus from 25 yards.

Kelly had the ball in the net again on the half hour but this time his effort was ruled out for offside by a linesman's flag. It looked a close decision.

Rovers went close to an equaliser when Chris Turner headed just wide from ten yards after an Enda Stevens free on the left.  Then central defender Aidan Price shot over after a Billy Dennehy corner on the right.

The Hoops were level on 41 minutes when a long ball by central defender Craig Sives was missed by Shane O'Connor on the slippery suface. Striker Gary Twigg was able to run through and round 'keeper Matt Gregg before shooting home from a narrow angle. That was the Scotsman's 50th goal during his two seasons with Rovers.

In a dramatic opening to the second half, winger  Tommy Stewart had the Hoops in front after just 15 seconds. Dessie Baker played in Twigg from the left and his pass found Stewart who fired home the golden goal past Gregg from the edge of the box.

But Bray refused to lie down and were level on 69 minutes. Substitute Richie Baker found Daire Doyle on the right and his low cross was headed home powerfully by Gary Shaw.

Bray went close to an equaliser after Craig Sives was yellow-carded for a foul on striker Shane O'Neill. The resulting free by Gary Dempsey from 22 yards was just inches wide of the target.

There were some nail-biting minutes before the finish with the Hoops happy to hang on for the precious draw that earned them that eagerly awaited first title in 16 years. Then the party to end all parties started as the 'great days' returned for Rovers after so many years in the wilderness.        

Bray Wanderers: Gregg; Webster, Mitchell, S O'Connor, Massey; Doyle, Dempsey (Baker 61), G Kelly, J Kelly (Shaw 53); Shields (Tresson 81), S O'Neill.

Substitutes Not Used: Kane, Tyrrell.

Shamrock Rovers: Mannus; Flynn, Sives, Price (Murphy 84), Stevens; Dennehy, Rice, Turner, Stewart; Twigg (Chambers 59), Baker (Fenn 67).

Substitutes Not Used: Jennings, Bradley.

Referee: A Kelly (Cork).