Shelbourne to play underdog card as title goes down to wire

As we head into the final stretch of the League of Ireland Premier Division season, a title race unlike any we've seen in recent years is shaping up to be a thriller going right down to the wire.

Shelbourne, who have defied expectations to sit top of the table all season, are losing momentum at the worst possible time.

Just one win in eight games has seen their gap narrow, and now, as the finish line approaches, the competition has caught up.

Derry City and Shamrock Rovers, each with their own ups and downs, are right on their heels, setting up a thrilling three-horse race for the title.

The psychology of a title run-in is as fascinating as the physical and tactical demands.

At this stage, every player at Shelbourne, Derry, and Shamrock Rovers will be telling themselves that they can be the ones lifting the trophy on 1 November.

Belief is crucial in these moments, and it's something Damien Duff, Ruaidhrí Higgins, and Stephen Bradley will be instilling in their squads.

Even when the pressure mounts and legs tire, the mental edge can be the difference between silverware and nearly men. But belief alone won't be enough; execution under pressure will define this run-in.

For Shelbourne, this season has already been a triumph. Duff has overachieved with a squad few thought capable of mounting a serious title challenge.

The foundations of their success lie in disciplined defending, fitness, and tactical structure, but cracks are showing.

Having led the league for much of the year, the weight of expectation seems to be taking its toll. One win in their last eight is not the form of champions, and their remaining fixtures offer little respite.

Shelbourne face Sligo Rovers this evening, St. Patrick's Athletic, Shamrock Rovers, Waterford,