The 2016 season is one that will live long in the memory for those of a Dundalk persuasion.
Progress in the Champions League qualifiers was converted into a group stage appearance in the Europa League which has already yielded a first ever win for an Irish club at that level when Dundalk took on Maccabi Tel Aviv and emerged victorious.
But in terms of the long-term progress of the club, qualifying for the Champions League qualifiers again was vital and winning the league was a necessity to achieve that.
After title wins in 2014 and 2015, victory over Bohemians tonight means they have won the League of Ireland Premier Division for a third year in a row.
It was something Stephen O'Donnell highlighted as essential for the club when he spoke to Newstalk.com before their Europa League opener against AZ Alkmaar.
"There's no point in doing what we've done this year and not win the league and then end up in the first round of Europa qualifying next year. The league's huge. Three-in-a-row would be an unbelievable achievement. It definitely is our main priority now to win the league again. We need to build on this and need to be regulars in the Champions League qualifying to see if you can get there. But yeah, the league is the be all and end all for us this season. Obviously we'll be treating the Europa and the FAI Cup with massive respect but the main goal is getting three in a row," he had said at the time.
And as that achievement has been sealed by Stephen Kenny's side, there were congratulations all round on Twitter:
1st 3-in-a-row since Rovers 30 yrs ago. And in middle of Irish football's greatest Euro campaign. And a Cup final to come. Congrats Dundalk
— Mark McCadden (@markmccadden) October 23, 2016
Congrats to @DundalkFC . Not many teams can lose their best player, rebuild and come back stronger.
— Paul Moore (@ElChiefMoore) October 23, 2016
Huge congrats to @DundalkFC #champions #greatestever
— Richie Sadlier (@RichieSadlier) October 23, 2016
It's over. Dundalk the 4th team in LOI history to win three in a row after Cork United 1941-3, Waterford 1968-70 and Shamrock Rovers 1984-86
— Daniel McDonnell (@McDonnellDan) October 23, 2016
Congrats Dundalk. Worthy champions. Part one of treble with FAI Cup and Europa League knock-out stage their next targets.
— Eric White (@ericwhite80) October 23, 2016
Congratulations to the Dundalk boys how they're pulling this off every few days is unreal ðŸ‘ðŸ¼
— Rory Patterson (@roryp84) October 23, 2016
Team of the year no matter what happens from here @DundalkFC . @KilkennyCamogie second. Ireland could steal it with win v All Blacks
— Oisin Langan (@oisinlangan) October 23, 2016
Congratulations to @DundalkFC winning their third Premier Division title in a row tonight!
— Wexford Youths FC (@WexfordYouthsFC) October 23, 2016
Congratulations @DundalkFC on winning 3 in a row
— Bray Wanderers FC (@BrayWanderers) October 23, 2016
Stephen Kenny says he looked at character of the players in building his team - they certainly show their character on & off the pitch
— Paul Little (@little_football) October 23, 2016
Congratulations, @DundalkFC! @SSEAirtricityLg Premier Division champions! #LOI pic.twitter.com/oxvTTl2txf
— FAIreland (@FAIreland) October 23, 2016
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