But after making the play-offs last year Ulster currently sit fifth in the RaboDirect PRO12 table ahead of Friday night's games with a place in the top four well within reach.
And the 20-year-old Gilroy is adamant that this incarnation of the Ulster side is vastly superior to the one that made the play-offs last time around.
"We have shown at times this season that when we get it right we are almost unstoppable and look like we can mix it with the best teams in Europe," he said
"As a side we know that we have that potential so it's a case of producing it when we need it most.
"We have a few important RaboDirect PRO12 games coming up so we will focus on those and then when the Heineken Cup quarter final comes back around we will switch to that.
"But for now the goal is the top four in the Rabo, we did it last year and despite a slightly poorer set of results this year I feel like we are stronger squad.
"Every game is like a cup final for us between now and the end of the season."
With the likes of Stephen Ferris and Rory Best absent on international duty during the Six Nations McLaughlin's side have more than held their own in the past month in Rabo action.
Two wins from three including a hard-fought 15-14 victory over the high-flying Ospreys last time out provide good evidence of Ulster's strength in depth.
And Gilroy has called on the squad players at the club to continue to produce their best when given the opportunity.
"The mood in the team at the moment is really good after the scrappy win against the Ospreys and now we need to push on in both competitions," he added.
"To be still going well in two separate competitions and with us losing our internationals it just goes to show what a squad game this is.
"We have already played a lot of games this season and there should still be a few more to come if things go well for us so everyone will get a chance to contribute."
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