Luke Byrne: "We've been the dominant side in the league since the first six or seven games, but that'll count for nothing if we don't see it out"

Andrew Dempsey reports from City Calling Stadium

Shelbourne defender Luke Byrne insists that his side will have to see out the First Division title if they are to make their dominance pay.

The Reds recently all but ended Longford Town’s title hopes on Saturday evening with a dominant two-goal win on Saturday evening.

However, speaking after the game, Byrne revealed that his teammates are not getting carried away after their latest win on the road.

“We were all confident at the start of the season that we could put ourselves in a position like this but then you’ve got to back it up,” the 26-year-old said after the game. 

“I think we’ve done that, we’ve really, since the six/seven games, been the dominant team in the league, but that’ll count for nothing if we don’t see it out in the last few games.

“It’s a great win for us. It was a big game for us, and we knew how important it was.

“Nothing is decided yet but we’ve kind of strengthened our hold on the top of the table, so it was a good night’s work.”

Despite remaining wary of the threat that Drogheda United still pose to their throne, the former Shamrock Rovers defender admits he understands the significance of their most recent away win.

“Obviously, I think, if you’re being honest, it eliminates them (Longford) from the title race now.



“It’s between ourselves and Drogheda now heading into the final three games and we play each other on the second last night of the season. If we both do our jobs in the next game that should be the decider.

“We lost one and won one against them before so we knew what to expect from them, they’re a good side and they’re on a good run but we were confident coming down that we would win the game and do it.

"It doesn’t always go to plan but thankfully it did.”