Greg Sloggett believes his ultimate aim can still happen this season under the guidance of Steven O'Donnell.
Dundalk midfielder Sloggett faces his old club UCD at Oriel Park tonight in what he admits is a must-win game for the Lilywhites, especially after their five-game winning streak ended in a frustrating scoreless draw at Shels last Friday.
Having catapulted themselves into a title race by beating Shamrock Rovers a week earlier, failing to convert chances at Tolka Park felt like a bit of a momentum killer.
READ MORE: Ecstasy to agony for Robbie Benson as Dundalk draw with Shelbourne
Dundalk are 10 points adrift of the Hoops but do have two games in hand.
"Look, we beat Rovers two weeks ago and we have to build confidence around that," said Sloggett.
"We have to turn up on other nights to win games if we're going to win the League.
"We can only look to ourselves to make that happen and just see where it goes.
"Obviously Rovers have the distraction of Europe now and we have just the League to focus on, really. So we're determined to have a lash at it.
"But we're making no bones about it, it's a fresh group and we're doing well up to now."
The 25-year-old admits that he wasn't sure that was how this season was going to pan out after the turmoil of a sixth place finish last season and the fact that almost all of the squad were out of contract at the end of it.
"Yeah, look I think everybody was not expecting to see the way things are set up now and it's brilliant," Sloggett confided.
"We're a really competitive side and we look a threat, we're not conceding goals, we're so solid and we can beat any team.
"We didn't have that risk last year at all through the team so that comes from above, it's been really been instilled this season.
"There are lots of players who know what it means to be League champions and we can tap into that experience as well as the youth and enthusiasm that's been instilled this year.
"Hopefully that will drive us on to win more games, like should have been the case last week.
"There's a good balance there, we just need to make it count every week."
The Meathman joined Dundalk from Derry City in 2019, after the League winning campaign - he is one of the players at the club who hasn't yet tasted title success.
But Sloggett believes that O'Donnell, who returned to the club after leading St Pat's to FAI Cup glory, is the man to make it happen.
"I want to be part of a League winning team, ultimately I want to win the League here in Ireland," he emphasised.
"That's my ambition and hopefully we can be contenders this year.
"It helps when the manager is Stevie O - he knows the game so well and he has lots of little tips and advice.
"The thing is he just sets a really high standard all through the club, through the management and players, and he demands that standard. We're all trying to live up to that and it drives us on.
"I'm seeing that pay off as well. I want to be part of a professional outfit and we really are this year, and it's leading to good things.
"Hopefully it will lead to silverware at the end of the year."
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