Stephen Bradley admits the Hoops would have snapped your hand off to be in this position at the start of the year.
Danny Lafferty's fourth minute goal edged victory for the hosts in a high-stakes scrap in Tallaght.
Had the result gone the other way, Bohs would be on top of the Premier Division this morning with eight games to go.
Instead, their bitter rivals Shamrock Rovers find themselves five points clear.
While every game since football's return has suffered for the lack of atmosphere, it was particularly felt in this case given the bitter, ferocious nature of this rivalry.
But the Hoops haven't been crowned champions since 2011 and it was clear at the end of this game what it meant for them.
"I think if you offered us this at the start of the season we'd take your hand off, five points clear with eight games to play," acknowledged a satisfied Bradley.
"We know there's a lot of football to be played but we're delighted.
"It's not over yet, there are a lot of difficult games to come - we have to play everyone again.
"I'm sure there will be twists and turns and the league usually goes right to the death, it will be interesting."
That won't be the case, however, if this normally easy on the eye Rovers team can keep battling when they need to, as they did yesterday.
Bradley told his players they would have to fight for everything. So it proved - especially in the last quarter, when Bohs piled the pressure on - but Rovers did enough to prevail for the third time in a row against the Gypsies.
"As a game it was a typical derby, a scrappy game at times, competitive and we knew that'd be the case," he said.
"The fact that it was first against second, it was never going to be a pretty football match.
The fact that it was a big derby, I can't remember too many brilliant football matches in the derbies.
"But I was delighted with the players. We had to be ready for it and they showed that whether it's football match or a scrappy second-ball game they can come out on top.
"That's a sign of a good team."
The decisive blow was struck early. Graham Burke's tricky cross from the right was left by Ronan Finn and Gypsies keeper Stephen McGuinness parried.
Andy Lyons, his right-back, was there and attempted to clear for a throw.
But Lafferty read his intention and stuck out a left leg, deflecting the ball into the net for his third goal in two games.
Bohs were denied a swift equaliser when Roberto Lopes headed clear Keith Buckley's shot.
The visitors had a strong penalty shout turned down and looked especially dangerous from when Danny Mandriou came on in the 66th minute, but Bohs couldn't restore parity.
"Our destiny has always been in our own hands," added Bradley.
"We've always been on top since the first game - so it's always been about attacking each game".
