There are a full round of fixtures taking place on Friday night as the Airtricity League season comes to a close, with little to be decided bar some minor mid-table placings.
Dundalk v Galway United, Oriel Park
The champions will welcome Galway to Oriel Park with one and a half eyes on upcoming clashes with Zenit St Petersburg in the Europa League and their cup final showdown against second-placed Cork City.
As a result Stephen Kenny, who has just been nominated for a fourth consecutive Manager of the Year award, is expected to once again field a weakened side.
Having secured their third title in a row with a 2-1 win over Bohemians on Sunday, what was in essence a second-string Lilywhite XI lost 5-2 to St Pat's at Richmond Park on Tuesday.
Stephen O'Donnell is the only injury concern within the squad with a hamstring strain.
Galway striker Vinny Faherty has admitted his side saw their ambitions peter out over the course of the season, and said he hopes his side can learn from it.
"It's got to be a lesson and a learning curve and we've got to improve on it next year," he said
"We need to start pushing for a European spot, it's where the club needs to go. Fair play to Dundalk, they would be exactly the blueprint for what we're trying to follow.
Galway are without the suspended Stephen Walsh for the tie, while Marc Ludden and Enda Curran are both injured.
Bray Wanderers v Cork City, Carlisle Ground
Cork will travel to Bray for their final league match of the season reflecting on what might have been, while the home side will be happy with a promising season that will see them finish at least eighth and possibly as high as fifth.
It is fair to say Cork will be focusing on the cup final on 6 November, although manager John Caulfield has dangled a carrot in front of his side.
“The lads know that places in the starting eleven and on the bench for the cup final are up for grabs," he said.
"It was a great performance on Monday night and the lads who came in did well, so I expect the same again tomorrow night.”
Greg Bolger, Garry Buckley, Kenny Browne and Steven Beattie all return from suspension, but Buckley is likely to miss out with a hamstring strain.
Long-term absentees Alan Smith and John Dunleavy are also out through injury.
St Patrick's Athletic v Derry City, Richmond Park
Having beaten the champions comprehensively on Tuesday, Pat's will be looking to close out their season with a win that could see them leapfrog Sligo and take fifth spot.
Manager Liam Buckley must plan without Michael Barker, Darren Dennehy and Lee Desmond due to foot, hip and knee injuries respectively.
Billy Dennehy, Graham Kelly, Conor O'Malley and Jack Bayly may all be available, depending on late fitness tests.
Derry have been buoyed by the news that Joshua Daniels and Nathan Boyle have signed new contracts tying them to the Brandywell until 2017.
“They are two promising young players,” boss Kenny Shiels said.
“I would like to get them longer deals and that’s in the process as well and I’m hoping to talk to them again next April or May to extend them even further, but in the meantime it’s great to get them tied up for next season.”
Longford Town v Shamrock Rovers, City Calling Stadium
Fourth place Shamrock Rovers head to the midlands for what is in effect a dead rubber tie against already-relegated Longford.
A 0-0 draw with Bray in Tallaght last Friday was enough to secure Europa League qualification for the Hoops and they will be hoping to end their season on a high with a win.
David Webster and Gary Shaw are both back from suspension, but they must plan without the injured Luke Byrne.
Relegated Longford will be without Noel Haverty, while Pat Flynn and Don Cowan are both doubtful.
Boss Alan Matthews is staying upbeat despite facing up to life in the First Division next season, and is confident the club remains healthy.
"Off the pitch and compared to many in the country this football club is in a very good place," he told the club's website.
"However we simply haven’t been good enough on the pitch over the 33 games and will not be playing teams like Shamrock Rovers in 2017, which is very disappointing.
"The indignity of relegation offers us the chance to build for the future and no doubt players will come and go from the club during the off season, one thing that we must ensure it that we recruit players with the right attitude, character and hunger to bring this club back in to the Premier Division.”
Sligo Rovers v Wexford Youths, The Showgrounds
Sligo Rovers are the other side hunting for a fifth place finish, with the Bit o'Red one point ahead of Pat's ahead of the final round of ties.
Wexford's fate is decided to some extent, as they know they will face either Cobh or Drogheda in a promotion/relegation play-off following their 11th place finish.
Both Liam Martin and Raff Cretaro will miss out for the hosts through suspensions, while French striker Achille Campion faces a late fitness test on, of all things, an Achilles tendon injury.
Finn Harps v Bohemians, Finn Park
Having avoided going back down in their first season back in the top flight, Finn Harps are likely to be in party mode as they welcome Bohs north for what is another dead rubber tie.
Manager Ollie Horgan must do without a number of players for the match, with Kevin McHugh and Keith Cowan injured and Damian McNulty and Gareth Harkin suspended.
Josh Mailey, who travelled over from England for recent games against Cork and Wexford, is also unavailable.
Horgan also harbours injury concerns over Barry Molloy and Ruari Keating.
Keith Long's Bohs side have struggled to find consistency this season, although they did impress at times in their 2-1 defeat at Oriel Park on Sunday.
At best they can hope for a seventh place finish, at worst Galway could pip them for eighth spot.
Long must do without Izzy Akinade (illness), Dylan Hayes (hip) and Jake Kelly (ankle) for his side's trip to Donegal.
All games kicking off at 7.45pm.
