Chance to equal League of Ireland title record with four in a row an 'amazing carrot' for Shamrock Rovers Gary O'Neill

Gary O'Neill says that equalling the record for consecutive League of Ireland crowns is a huge motivation for Shamrock Rovers as they close in on the Premier Division title.

The leaders' surprise draw at UCD last Friday looked to have opened the door for their title challengers but Derry City lost at Sligo Rovers that night and St Patrick's Athletic were beaten by Drogheda United in Inchicore on Monday.

So Rovers now lead Derry by five points and Saints by four with five rounds remaining. They next face Shelbourne on Friday night, live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player.

"We know that we have left a lot of points behind us this season but fortunately for us everyone else has as well," midfielder O'Neill told RTÉ Sport.

"With five games to go we have a five-point lead at the top of the league and if you offered me that before the start of the season I would have bitten your hand off.

"We know that our destiny is in our hands but all we can do is play one game at a time because you're not going to get more than three points."

The only League of Ireland team to win a top-flight four-in-a-row to date was the Hoops side of 1983-87.

"Any event I ever go to with Shamrock Rovers that team always have a table at the top of the event.

"To be able to join that group, that special team, and to be someone who has been here for the four years is a huge incentive. It's an amazing carrot to have dangled in front of us so hopefully we can drive it home now."

The champions beat Shels three out of four times last year but have drawn the three league meetings to date in 2023.

"Over the season, we haven’t beaten Shels yet," said O'Neill. "That’s something we want to put right so there is a bit of an extra incentive about it. No better time to do it with the