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Dundalk's director, Stephen Kenny, admitted that the return trip to Louth County would have been unbearable without the possession of the FAI Cup.
The Lilywhites had lost the last two finals at the Aviva stadium and despite their league win, Kenny revealed that he was dreading a loss to Cork City.
The double was achieved thanks to a winner, Patrick McEleney, who secured a 2-1 win over Turner's Cross.
"It was great to win – it was a winner pretty late – we won and lost here and when you lose, it's an isolated place."
"So when you push, push and open the door, its euphoric nature is really special.
"The players deserve a huge credit, they kept their cool when things were not going well for us, they kept pushing and ended up winning the game."
But Dundalk did not have his own way, because Cork matched the league champions and it was very difficult for the Lilywhites to find their pace, especially in the first half.
"Cork makes you win everything, they do not give you anything, they closed us in the first half and we found it difficult to be consistent with our pbading movements." We were aiming for deadly pbades.
"But in the second half, we were a different proposal."
Dundalk dominated throughout the second period, but the manager admitted that his team made it difficult to match, just two minutes after Sean Hoare gave Lilywhites a lead.
"It's a capital sin – we never do it because we understand the importance of the moment we score – the opportunity has come in. We probably do not concede it to Oriel Park.
"The players were partying with their family and things you would not normally do, we went out and we were punished but fortunately …"
What is rare is beautiful, and the manager had the pleasure of seeing Patrick McEleney arrive to score the winning goal, with only his second goal of the head.
"Patrick is not noticed for his cap, but he has timed his race with flying colors, and he has stayed the course and, fortunately, he has come in."
"There was no room for Patrick [in the first half] and what we had to do was that when Jamie McGrath came in, he did not play as an Orthodox midfielder, he floated and ended up in 10th place.
"And that took over other players, so Patrick became freer and we dominated for times and we deserved it."
McGrath was only on the pitch for 15 minutes when he played a decisive role in the winning goal by dispossessing Shane Griffin while preparing for McEleney's attack.
But Kenny did not pretend that it was a master stroke in management.
"I would not claim a huge credit for the replacement, I made one last year and we lost," Kenny joked.
The time has come to celebrate for the championship and cup winners who will enjoy the festivities at the hotel teams tonight before attending a civic reception in downtown Monday.
"To be honest, it would have been difficult to face the road without it, I could not even bear to think about it.
"The council has reserved the town square for a reception tomorrow night and it would have been a real layer of moisture if we had not won it.
"But now, the atmosphere will be electric."
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