On Sunday, Shamrock Rovers earned their most important points of the season when they overcame Damien Duff's Shelbourne 2-0 in an emphatic victory that looks set to be the turning tide in this year's title race.
Duff's side went into the fixture with a five-point lead on Shamrock Rovers and a four-point lead on Derry City. However, Rovers' win leaves them just two points behind the North Dublin outfit, who still have an away trip to Derry on the horizon.
Similarly, while Derry may remain four points behind Shelbourne who are struggling to advance their lead, they have two games in hand heading down the final stretch.
Considering the permutations, Sunday's clash was all but a must-win clash for both sides. It was Shamrock Rovers who struck first as talisman Jack Byrne put them ahead early on in the 18th minute.
Jack Byrne with an exquisite finish to open the scoring in Tallaght
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While Shelbourne fought relentlessly to close the gap, it proved to be a vain effort as Neil Farrugia sealed the deal for Shamrock Rovers with an 85th-minute goal that ended any hopes Shelbourne had of salvaging something from the clash.
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Duff hits back at Bradley over title race comments
Speaking in the lead up to his side's clash with Shelbourne, Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley hit out at the quality of the league this year, claiming the fact that just seven points separate the top six teams was an indictment of the football played.
I think if we're being honest, the standard hasn't been great.
However, Damien Duff hit back at Bradley's comments when they were raised after Sunday's clash, telling reporters that Bradley's comments were a slight on the investment made by so many people across the league.
I've been lucky enough in England and Scotland (to win titles) and you get a lead and you keep your foot on people's throats and it's game over, Have we done that? No.
Has anybody done that? No. I know a lot has been said about the quality of the league and it's disappointing and people have been poor. I totally disagree. There are a lot of footballers and staff who have dedicated their lives 24/7 to this year's league. It's just tight.
I think maybe back in the day it was easy to go to Galway. It's f**king not.... But here, if Stephen says everyone's poor, I'd say there are 250 professional footballers in this country that would find that as a slight.
Duff reiterated the point when he spoke to RTÉ, calling the comments disrespectful.
I think it's a poor comment because it's disrespecting the 250 professional players that have dedicated their lives to this season.
"It's still in our hands"
Damien Duff is not too downtrodden after Dublin derby defeat for Shelbourne
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Damien Duff's side welcomes Waterford to Tolka Park on Friday, in what will likely be a must-win clash for his side if they're to maintain any chance at claiming this year's league title.
On the other hand, Shamrock Rovers will take on FAI Cup finalists Drogheda Utd. before continuing their UEFA Conference League run with a group fixture against Larne.
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