With just two games left in the League of Ireland Premier Division, the battle for fourth place has taken on a level of urgency and importance and kept this league campaign exciting and interesting all the way to the end.
As it stands, Bohemians sit precariously in fourth on 51 points, with St Patrick's Athletic and Drogheda United breathing down their necks, both on 50 each.
European qualification through this fourth-place finish is of course, all dependent upon Shamrock Rovers beating Cork City in the FAI Cup final.
European football matters.
The events of last night have served as a stark reminder of just how fleeting and unforgiving playing in Europe can be.
Shelbourne, who have been lauded for their recent domestic form, will feel like it’s an opportunity missed after their 1-0 defeat against Shkendija of North Macedonia last night.
Joey O’Brien will be seething with how last night’s game ended especially in the circumstances that it did.
Shamrock Rovers fell to a 2-0 defeat at home to Celje in the Europa Conference League - a loss that stings because of their first half display.
Both Irish sides underperformed to their capabilities during a 45-minute spell last night and both sides were punished for it.
These disappointments highlight just how much the League of Ireland clubs need regular European football - not just for the prestige, but for the money, development, and recruitment opportunities it brings.
For Bohemians, Pats, and Drogheda, the stakes could hardly be higher.
Alan Reynolds has steadied the ship at Bohemians. His side have improved gradually as the season has gone on, and the performances of Dawson Devoy in particular, have given the fanbase hope.
Bohemians also benefit from a club structure that would relish the benefits of European competition - exposure for their global brand, experience for a young squad, and a financial windfall that could fund the next steps in their ongoing pursuit of success through sustainability.
Simply put, qualifying for Europe could be the key to igniting the next chapter of the club’s progress.
It’s easy to forget the way St Pat’s ended their league campaign last season and finished third in the league, just four points off the champions, Shelbourne.
But this season’s turbulence through their results and performances has erased much of the hype that last year’s form created and has left many St Pats fans disappointed this campaign.
Stephen Kenny (above) didn’t sign a five-and-a-half-year deal to float in mid-table. He wants Europe. He needs Europe. The club's plans are ambitious and building a team capable of challenging regularly for titles all hinge on the kind of visibility and revenue only European football can provide.
Finishing fourth would grant Kenny a crucial advantage heading into next season: with a summer ahead of European games to help recruit and build upon.
Of all the contenders, Drogheda’s position in this conversation is still the most remarkable.
Kevin Doherty’s side has defied expectations all season. Their place in this fight is testament to excellent coaching, a clear team identity, and a work ethic that has made them tough opponents for every side in the division.
For Drogheda, European qualification would be huge. After the summer disappointment of not participating in Europe, having another go at it would attract a higher calibre of player, and create momentum behind their long-term growth.
But more than anything, it would be a reward for doing things the right way - punching above their weight, trusting their players, and maintaining standards despite limited resources.
A fourth-place finish could change the trajectory of the entire club.
The final two games of the season are now cup finals in all but name.
One slip from Bohs, and they could drop out. One late push from Pats or Drogheda, and they might snatch the prize.
The margins are thin, and the rewards are significant. Crucially, with the FAI Cup final still to be played, fourth place might be enough to guarantee European football next year - depending on the outcome at the Aviva.
Bohemians need Europe to continue their sustainable momentum. St Pat’s need it to propel the Stephen Kenny project. Drogheda need it to break new ground.
And the league needs one of these clubs to make a real impression next summer - because if last night has proven anything, it’s that Irish clubs must learn quickly how to win in Europe.
