Shamrock Rovers claimed a potentially massive win on Monday night, as they defeated arch-rivals Bohemians in a dramatic Dublin derby in Tallaght.
Only a few weeks after Bohs vanquished Rovers at Dalymount Park, the sides met for the final time this season at Tallaght Stadium on Monday night.
The hosts would claim victory in dramatic fashion late on, with substitute Graham Burke crashing home a brilliant driven winner from outside the box with only six minutes left on the clock.
𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐇𝐀𝐌 𝐁𝐔𝐑𝐊𝐄! ☘️
What a goal that is!
Shamrock Rovers take a late lead in the Dublin Derby!#SHABOH | #LOI pic.twitter.com/iYTrpeogEI
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) September 23, 2024
For visitors Bohs, defeat piles pressure on in their hopes to stave off a potential relegation playoff. For Rovers, however, it reinstills belief that the five-in-a-row may not be dead in the water just yet.
Only a few weeks ago, it seemed as though Shelbourne and Derry were unassailable at the top – but Shamrock Rovers now sit in third, just one point behind Derry and four behind Shels – granted, Rovers have played one game more than their two rivals. However, Shels and Derry have one win each in their last five games, showing how much the two league leaders are beginning to falter.
It looked earlier this season as though Damien Duff was destined to bring Shelbourne back to league title-winning glory but, with the weeks ticking away, Brian Kerr believes that the Drumcondra side are in trouble at the top of the table.
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Brian Kerr sees League of Ireland title as real possibility for Shamrock Rovers
Brian Kerr was an analyst on Virgin Media’s coverage of Shamrock Rovers’ victory over Bohemians on Monday evening.
“If they were able to win those five games, I think they would win the league.”
Will we get a spectacular finish to the season from Shamrock Rovers??#SHABOH | #LOI pic.twitter.com/ypWjBYznkV
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) September 23, 2024
The former Ireland manager shared his belief post-match that, should they win their final five games, Rovers will win the league.
It is a tricky run-in for the Hoops but, with Bohs ticked off the list, Kerr thinks that the league title is a distinct possibility.
Tonight was a vital win for them. If they can keep going on…if they manage to win those five games, I think they will win the league.
It’s not going to be easy. All of those teams have something to play for, as things stand. By the time they play Dundalk, Dundalk may well be in last place given Drogheda’s current form.
Waterford are still chasing one of the European places, Pats probably feel they’ve an outside chance but they need to win against Rovers on Friday. Drogheda are obviously in very good form.
None of those games will be easy but the good news for Shamrock Rovers is that the other teams who are ahead of them are dropping points as well. Derry and Shelbourne are not coasting win-win-win all the time.
They’ve given themselves a chance with that win tonight, they had to win the game.
Defeat to fourth-placed Galway on Friday has piled yet more pressure on the faltering Shelbourne, who have won just one of their last seven league games.
Having shared his belief that Shamrock Rovers would win the title with wins in their last five games, Brian Kerr said that he believed that the alternate scenario would see the final day meeting of Derry and Shels decide the destination of the League of Ireland trophy.
Shels have got a difficult enough run-in. When you look at the games…the Shamrock Rovers match is going to be a massive match in terms of how it all ends up. They can’t afford to lose that game.
I look at the game against Derry at the end…that match is going to decide the league. I think it will be between themselves and Derry at the end, unless Shamrock Rovers can put together five wins in a row.
They’re three points ahead, their goal difference isn’t fantastic.
[Four games out of six in Tolka Park] is a positive for them because the crowd are very strong there and their home form in general carries them through – but they’re difficult games. They’ve no gimmies. Every game there, the opposition has something to play for.
Even though Sligo are in contention for the European spots, that’s probably the easiest of [Shelbourne’s] games. They’ve got to win that game.
Though Shelbourne do indeed have four home games to look forward to in the run-in, their only two away games are against Shamrock Rovers and Derry City – a mega task for a club looking to win their first Premier Division title in 18 years.
Time will tell just how decisive Shamrock Rovers’ derby win over Bohemians in Tallaght could prove to be.