Oct 26,2024
And while Shelbourne manager Damien Duff was highlighting a certain calmness after Friday's win over Drogheda United, he also stressed that the squad "know what they want" with a Premier Division title now very much within their own grasp.
Goals from Sean Boyd and Rayhaan Tulloch in each half paved the way for Shels' 2-1 victory at Tolka Park and with St Pat's defeating Derry City at Tolka Park, Shamrock Rovers, who face Dundalk on Sunday, are now the only side that can deny Duff's outfit the title.
Shelbourne head to Derry in their final game next Friday but could be champions before that if the Hoops fail to win at Oriel Park.
"Calm. I thought there was so much calmness in their play tonight," were Duff's initial thoughts.
"A lot of quality and I'll allign that with a lot of edge as well. I thought it was a brilliant, brilliant performance.
"Nothing is done, I think we're officially in Europe and as I just told the guys there we're built different than that so there is no well dones for Europe. We know what we want."
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A Bridel Bosakani wonder-strike for Drogheda did make things a little nervy for the hosts on Richmond Road, but Duff was pleased with the way his side managed things throughout.
"We came out of the blocks and think we dominated the game from start to finish," he added.
"We had a nervy last 20, 25 minutes, it was a good goal from their point of view but poor from ours. We created a lot of chances, a lot of half chances... and deserved [it].
"We're built on many things; sticking together, putting bodies on the line, trying to be organised in seeing out games even if it's by the odd goal. We've done that."
Post-match celebrations will obviously be low-key as Shelbourne prepare for next Friday's trip to the Maiden City, with their manager set to keep an eye on what unfolds at Oriel Park before that.
"Rest and recover; we'll be in training tomorrow. We'll have Sunday off but that doesn't mean you can go out and have a few too-many beers; you are still prepping. A few too-many beers on Saturday and you are struggling Sunday, so Monday and Tuesday training sessions are wasted.
"It's all about being a top professional, an elite professional.
"In between that I might watch the game on Sunday.
"A lot of people have written Dundalk off but I think people forget it is a very proud footballing town. It's a very proud footballing club, there's a very proud manager up there and there are footballing greats in the squad. I think it is slightly disrespectful that they have been written off so I might have a look on Sunday."
