Dundalk boss Vinny Perth said the players and fans had done the club proud after a gutsy victory over Shamrock Rovers on Friday night.
The Lilywhites have endured a torrid year on and off the pitch as boardroom turmoil has coincided with a complete nosedive in terms of results this campaign.
Dundalk could still get sucked into the relegation play-off but a fine win against the Hoops, thanks to Sean Murray's excellent goal, eased the pressure considerably and raised spirits as their FAI Cup semi-final against St Pat's in two weeks' time looms into view.
Despite all their troubles, the Co Louth outfit could yet end the season with another piece of silverware.
"It was difficult at times," Perth told RTÉ Sport after the win against Rovers.
"There's no doubt we were pinned back, particularly in the second half of the first half. Then, I think they’ve run out of ideas. They’ve gone very direct late in the game.
"Our players stood together and so did our supporters. That’s our fourth game with supporters back and we’ve won four games. It’s been a big loss to us over the last 18 months. I’m immensely proud of the players.
"They’ve been questioned, I’m sure your contributors were talking about contracts and the club and everything but as a group, a management and staff and players we’ve stuck together. I’m very proud, as I said, of the supporters and the players.
"I’ve said all along I felt we were in a false position but that would play out. We’ve made mistakes as a club. We’ve got punished for those mistakes but we’ve also been really unlucky.
"It is what it is. We’ve stuck together. People have questioned some of those players. They’ve been really professional. The glass is either half full or half empty. For me it’s half full when you manage people like that and work in this environment. It’s amazing. It’s a great night for us."
Dundalk travel to Bohs in the league next week and will then square up to the Saints in Inchicore as they look to retain the FAI Cup.
It would be a sweet end to what's been a very rocky 12 months but Perth is giving his team every chance of going all the way.
"There’s two competitions given out this year. Rovers are champions elect, hopefully Pat’s push them for the league title.
"And then the other one is the FAI Cup. We’re one of four teams [left in it], but if we keep performing like that we’ll go close."
Vinny Perth says he's proud of his players and the Dundalk fans after a big win at Oriel Park #RTEsoccer pic.twitter.com/2HBb594Q2B
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) October 8, 2021
