Shelbourne can take a giant stride towards securing their first league title in 18 years as they travel to fellow contenders Shamrock Rovers this afternoon, kick-off 5:45pm.
Damien Duff's side go into the game three points clear of Derry City and Galway United, with Rovers two points further off the pace, and should Shelbourne avoid defeat at Tallaght Stadium, they will put a major dent in the title aspirations of the champions, who still harbour hopes of a historic five in a row.
"It’s in our own hands" has been Duff’s mantra in recent weeks as his side – like all contenders – have wobbled throughout various stages of the campaign, and a victory would make a real statement to put clear daylight between themselves and the chasing pack.
Derry, of course, would still have two games in hand, however, points on the board are so vital at the business end of the season with that final-day fixture between the two sides possibly deciding the trophy’s final destination.
Travelling to Tallaght to take on Stephen Bradley’s side is no simple task, despite St Patrick’s Athletic showing how it was done last weekend, running out 3-0 winners at the home of the champions.
Lightning is unlikely to strike twice, however, and while Rovers had to play midweek, they will be primed to rectify that Saints shocker, while also benefitting from the feel-good factor of securing a big European result on Thursday night.
Shelbourne come into the game with a real question mark over their recent form and their ability to get back to their best for the final four games of the season.
Avoiding defeat would certainly act as a catalyst for the final three matches of the campaign, and it would still leave their title chances in their own hands, albeit with the major caveat that they would probably have to go to the Ryan McBride Brandywell on the final day of the season looking for all three points.
It remains to be seen how much that late defeat to St Pat’s last time out has affected the side, having bravely fought their way back into game, coming back from 2-0 down to level matters with ten minutes remaining, before losing 3-2 to Stephen Kenny's side.
On top of that late goal, they were also hit with an injury time red card as Matty Smith was sent off and as a result will miss the trip to Tallaght, while Paddy Barrett is also ruled out through suspension, which is equally detrimental for Duff’s side.
Sam Bone and JJ Lunney remain out while Liam Burt is ineligible, and Shane Griffin and Aiden O'Brien are also missing.
It really will take a colossal effort from the Tolka Park club to come away with all three points from this one, and with so many key players missing, it is hard to see where the creativity and quality will come from to really come and take the game to Rovers.
It is a rare thing indeed for the table toppers to be 5-1 outsiders to win a vital game at the end of the season, but with just two points from four league games in September, it’s the reality of the situation for Shelbourne.
It does, however, play into the mindset of the manager of creating an us against the world mentality and it is fair to say that these 90 minutes look set to be an emotional rollercoaster as Derry City look on with real interest and may prove the overall benefactors by the end of play.
"Being low on numbers has probably never rattled me in the three years I've been here. I'm used to it from my underage days, going to games with 12 or 13 players. As long as we have enough for a solid starting line-up, that’s what we’ll focus on," said Duff.
"We’re looking to get a win. We can take positives from Monday and the draw last week. It's the perfect time to find form after a couple of games where we were out of sorts. The next step is winning games and putting points on the board. It's massive; a top-of-the-table clash at the home of the champions. We need to bring our form and even more to get a result."
"We want to take the game to them like we did in Tolka earlier in the season, and in Tallaght the last time we were here," added Duff
"Contrary to what people say and think, our plan is to take the game to them. Of course, there will be times when they pin us back, and we'll have to defend and suck it up. It's a mouth-watering tie and a game everyone should be excited about.
"I told the guys during the week that Rovers and Derry smell blood and might see opportunities to close in. We have to smell it too. It's in our hands. We're in pole position, the best position. Everyone wants to be where we are."
Rovers can select from a strong squad and will be happy that Gary O’Neill has recovered from a rib-related injury which forced him off against APOEL midweek.
Rory Gaffney and Trevor Clarke remain out, however, Graham Burke is back after missing Thursday’s game due to the birth of his child.
Bradley will be looking to get the right blend of energy, experience, composure and creativity for this one and there may be several changes to the side that secured that valuable Conference League point on Thursday.
It was the bench that proved the difference in those final stages as Jack Byrne and Dylan Watts combined for that late, late equaliser, and Bradley also had the luxury of bringing on experienced striker Aaron Greene for the latter stages after Johnny Kenny had put in a huge shift leading the line against a vastly experienced APOEL outfit.
Neil Farrugia will be looking to make amends for his sending off midweek after picking up two soft cautions, which left his side exposed for over 40 minutes in the second half of the European game, and what better time to show what he is capable of in a match of such stature.
Bradley admitted that his Rovers side looked a little nervy in the opening exchanges of Thursday’s game, most notably with how they played in possession, however, there should be no such issues for this clash as the players return to the bread and butter of the league environment, one that they have dominated for four years.
"Artificial highs" are how Bradley described that last equaliser after the game on Thursday and he stressed that it bore little relevance to the game with Shelbourne.
However, the manager did stress that the team "have never lost their belief" that they can still win the title and he expects his players to prove that point when they step out in front of the home fans for this crunch encounter.
"These players are hungry for more," said Bradley, following the game, adding that the team would be "ready for Sunday", knowing that the schedule is very manageable for the remainder of the league campaign and they can look forward to 12 days to prepare for the next match in Drogheda.
"It’s a big game. It’s one that we are looking to win and need to win," said Bradley.
"It’s a game we’re looking forward to, a game you want to be involved in. All the players are ready and looking forward to it and I’m sure our fans will be again.
"I said it on Thursday night, the fans were brilliant for us. I’m sure they’ll show up in their numbers for us tomorrow because we will need it. We need their energy and everyone together to go and win the game."
"I’m sure [Shelbourne] will come with a game plan to take us on and win the game," added Bradley.
"We have to be ready for that and respect that, as we do with every opposition. We’ll see what they bring, work out how to stop that and then impose ourselves on them as soon as possible and use everything we can to win the game."
The manager will have to look on from the stands for this one, however, as he serves a one-match ban for comments about the referee in the recent game up in Derry, however, Bradley is certain that the players will perform to their optimum without his side-line presence.
"I don’t think the players listen to me when they’re on the pitch to be honest!" said Bradley.
"They’re in the zone, they’re on the pitch, they know what they’re doing when they cross the white line.
"They’ll be fine and Stephen McPhail, Glenn Cronin and the staff will be fine, I’ve no doubt about that. I’m disappointed obviously to be suspended but the group and staff are in a good place, there’s no issue there."
Watch Shamrock Rovers v Shelbourne in the League of Ireland from 5.15pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on RTÉ.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app
