On the night when Dundalk were presented with their fourth league title in five seasons, their manager Stephen Kenny appeared to outline his unofficial application for the as-yet-not-vacant Republic of Ireland job.
Joining Dundalk shortly after being sacked by Shamrock Rovers in 2012, Kenny's spell with the Louth-based club has been an astonishing success story thus far.
Memorably taking the League of Ireland club to the group stages of the Europa League, Kenny, concerning himself with some of the negativity currently surrounding the Republic of Ireland team, used his programme notes to maximum effect this evening.
Reminiscent of Jose Mourinho at his most Machiavellian, Kenny spoke of what made this team so special.
The number of trophies the team wins isn't the most important trait. This team shouldn't be defined by a trophy count.
The player's (sic) positive attitude towards playing football, their teammates and the club itself has been exceptional this season once again.
In an especially pointed remark, Kenny spoke of the style with which this team defined itself.
It is important to dispel the current train of thought that it is in the DNA of Irish players to play a more direct style of play, that somehow being Irish ... you were inherently born with a skill deficit.
The players have constantly shown their talent, their ability to pass and receive the ball under pressure and they continue to take risks in possession and open their imagination to see possibilities.
We have a group where creative players trust their talent and strive to express themselves in pursuit of fulfilling that potential as individuals and as a team.
A message quite contrary to that increasingly pedaled by the current Republic of Ireland boss Martin O'Neill, many suspect that when the current management team departs, Stephen Kenny will be among those considered to fill the vacant role.
It would appear that this isn't a suggestion that would bother the Dundalk manager necessarily.
