Damien Duff says that winning the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division is still in Shelbourne's hands despite another Dublin derby defeat on Sunday evening.
Shamrock Rovers emerged 2-0 winners from the clash at Tallaght Stadium with Jack Byrne and Neil Farrugia scoring the goals that very much keeps the Hoops in the conversation for a fifth title on the spin.
Shels end the night top of the table, but their lead over Rovers is down to two points. Derry City are a further two points behind, but Ruaidhrí Higgins' side have a brace of additional games left to play.
If Shelbourne could win their remaining three fixtures - against Waterford, Drogheda and then Derry on the last day of the season - they would be champions.
And for Duff, that is the mindset that he will be trying to instil in his players over the remaining few weeks.
"The performance was as good as we've played here for large parts," the Shels manager told RTÉ Sport after the game.
"One big disappointment, along with the result, was how we started. I've said in the media this week that our rivals smell blood, smell opportunity. I warned our guys about accepting where we are and being passive, and I thought we started off passive - too much respect for a very good team.
"The goal woke us up and we played really well for large parts. It's probably the most we've ever created here at Tallaght Stadium... we didn't deserve to lose the game.
"In saying that we have [lost]; we can't seem to pick up any points at the moment but we'll dust ourselves down.
"We've two weeks to go until our next game and, I'm sick of saying it, but it is still in our hands. We've three games remaining and if we win all three games - which is a big ask at the minute because we can't get any results - we'll be champions of this country.
"If the lads ain't excited by that, I don't know what they will be by."
With the top six still, mathematically at least, in the title race, Duff will know that he can't take anything for granted between now and 1 November.
This is particularly true with Shelbourne in their current form, which has seen them pick up just one win in their last 10 league games.
In response to a comment from Stephen Bradley this week that 'the standard hasn't been great' in the league this season, Duff added: "People see games on paper [and say] 'there's nine points for us.' It's not like that.
"It's there for everyone to see this season, the amount of upsets. Stephen said in the press this week that the quality of the league hasn't been very good...
"I think it's a poor comment because it's disrespecting the 250 professional players that have dedicated their lives to this season.
"The level of the teams, they've all crept up on each other, and that's why there's so many upsets.
"Three games to go but we just have to attack Waterford."
With Bradley suspended, Shamrock Rovers sporting director Stephen McPhail spoke to the media afterwards, reflecting on a job well done by the team.
"Happy days, it was a big three points in this vital part of the season," he told RTÉ Sport.
"It was a massive performance from the group because there was a lot of pressure on that game. If we lost, we might have been dead and buried.
"We felt if we could get the win we're bang in this and we look forward to the next three games.
"At the start of the year we had eight players training at one stage. Now it's only Trevor Clarke and Rory Gaffney who are unfit.
"We've got quality throughout the squad so we need to use that with games every few days."
Stephen McPhail looks back on Shamrock Rovers' Dublin Derby win, as they closed in on the league leaders
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The victory follows on from Thursday's impressive 1-1 draw with APOEL Nicosia in the group stages of the Conference League, giving Rovers - who are seeking to create League of Ireland history by winning a fifth title on the bounce - momentum as they look to attack the climactic part of their campaign.
Drogheda United, who booked their place in the Sports Direct FAI Cup final this afternoon, await in just under two weeks.
"We know how mad this league has been this season so tick it off, and let's see where it takes us," McPhail continued.
"There's four or five teams who think it's doable. We're in it, we've been here before, we have huge experience in there, so let's look forward to the next three weeks."
