FORMER Town defender Pat Scully is the toast of Shamrock Rovers after leading the fallen Irish giants to the verge of their first major trophy in 12 years.

The Dubliners go into tomorrow night's final Eircom League First Division clash of the season at Cobh Rangers all but assured of the title.

And they hope that success will be a crucial factor in the thinking of the independent group currently deciding which clubs will be invited to compete in the Republic's new-look Premiership next season.

Scully, 36, was installed at his home-city club last close-season after Rovers, previously bossed by ex-Carlisle chief Roddy Collins, were relegated for the first time since joining the League of Ireland (where the season runs from March to November) in 1922.

A promotion winner with Town under Neil Warnock in 1995, Scully's mission was to repeat that feat with Rovers - on a much reduced budget to that which Collins worked with.

His youthful side go to Cobh knowing that while nearest rivals Dundalk could still draw level with them on points, their goal difference is 17 better.

That means that bar an exceptional pair of results (Dundalk visit Finn Harps) Rovers will collect the title trophy - and put themselves in a strong position to win a top-flight slot.

That would be music to the ears of both Scully, left, who impressed Rovers when manager of their First Division rivals Kilkenny United, and the supporters who have struck with the club during some tough times.

Like Town, 105-year-old Rovers - whose Hoops nickname comes from their Celtic-like green and white kit - had a glory period in the Twenties, when their 'Four Fs' forward line of Fullam, Fagan, Farrell and Flood captured the imagination of Dublin's football followers.

Then, in 1957, they became the first Irish club to enter the European Cup, coming up against Manchester United.

The Football Association of Ireland's cup was won six times on the spin between 1964-69 and there were memorable European tussles with the likes of Nice, Valencia and Bayern Munich.

Former Leeds star Johnny Giles had a spell as player-manager in the late Seventies and there were three doubles in the Eighties before a decline set in after the club's Milltown ground was sold for property development.

The league title was won in 1994, but in general, recent years have been lean for a club who having seen plans to build a new stadium on the South side of Dublin hit the buffers because of red tape and lack of finance, have shuttled around Dublin's other football venues (they are currently at Shelbourne's Tolka Park).

Scully, who won a Republic of Ireland cap in 1989, when he was at Arsenal, had a successful spell with Shelbourne after leaving Town in the summer of 1996 (after 89 games).

Now he is hoping Tolka Park will be the scene of further top-flight triumphs as Hoops manager.