Shamrock Rovers' matchwinner Graham Burke secured a massive three points for his side against Bohemians on Monday evening, and he followed it up by defiantly declaring that the champions very much remain in the title race.
Their slim hopes looked set to be all but extinguished as the clocked ticked down towards the finish, but the substitute unleashed a fabulous low effort to the corner of Kacper Chorazka’s net six minutes from time as Tallaght Stadium erupted.
Stephen Bradley’s side are still the outsiders as they sit four points off leaders Shelbourne having played a game more, but Burke isn’t prepared to loosen the grip on their crown just yet.
"Last week was disappointing (v Derry), you could have had an extra two points but I won’t get into that.
"We knew tonight, that was a massive game in order to get three points and tomorrow we prepare for St Pat’s and we have to drive on again."
"Every single one of us believe in that changing room, we know what’s in that changing room," he added. "We know if we're right at it we can go on and win games."
Their latest Dublin derby was ticked off with three valuable points, and there’s more to come in their final five league fixtures with St Pat’s and Shelbourne visiting either side of their Uefa Conference League opener against APOEL.
"We still have to play big games and win them big games," Burke continued.
"You see last week our performance going up to Derry and what happens with the penalty – it's not a penalty – and that robs us of two points.
"We got the three points now and it looks closer in the table."
Burke’s season has been one disrupted by injury and in recent weeks he’s found himself providing cameos, such as for the last half hour against Bohs.
He isn't sure if Bradley now sees him as a super sub, but the player had no qualms about being relegated to the bench.
"I’ve been back six weeks now; I’ve been in and out and to be honest my form probably doesn’t warrant starting.
"I’ve started the home games here, Drogheda and Galway, but with the talent that’s in this squad, if you’re not right at it you’re not going to start.
"My performances in those games haven’t been up to scratch but I am still trying to build my way in from my last injury. Hopefully tonight helps me kick on."
His manager certainly maintains faith in his capabilities, describing him as "one of the best in the country" after the game.
"It’s just trying to get him back up to speed now," Bradley said. "The quality he has on that left foot, the power and the accuracy. If there’s anyone you’d want in that position, it’s Graham."
Next up for Rovers is a home clash with St Pat’s, whose manager Stephen Kenny was in the stands on Monday night.
It's going to be a blockbuster on Friday, with every point crucial at this stage.
"We know Pat’s is going to be a different game, these players are in a really good place," Bradley added.
Meanwhile, Bradley admitted that he still hasn’t been able to process the controversial penalty decision that went against his side in Friday’s 1-1 draw with Derry City when Patrick McEleney converted at the death after he was deemed to have been fouled by Josh Honohan.
"I’m still angry over it, it’s an awful, awful decision. It doesn’t get any easier when you watch it back, how they can give that, the linesman and the referee, is beyond me.
"It’s a really poor, weak decision. There’s nothing we can do about it (but) it can’t be accepted, it’s not good enough."
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