The all-Premier Division clash of Finn Harps and Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers welcoming Leinster Senior League side Bangor GG to Tallaght are two of the eight games down for decision in the first round of the Extra.ie FAI Cup on Friday.
Yes, it's that time in the season where upsets are possible, where non-league sides dream of a cup run to take them to the latter stages. The 32 teams will be seeking a place in the second round over the weekend of 26-28 August, with the quarter-finals and semi-final scheduled for the weekends of 18 September and 16 October, respectively.
The 2022 FAI Cup will take place on Sunday, 13 November at the Aviva Stadium.
FRIDAY'S FIXTURES
Maynooth University Town FC v Villa FC, 7.30pm
Bray Wanderers FC v Shelbourne, 7.45pm
Drogheda United FC v Athlone Town, 7.45pm
Dundalk v Longford Town, 7.45pm
Treaty United FC v Usher Celtic, 7.45pm
UCD v Cockhill Celtic FC, 7.45pm
Bangor GG v Shamrock Rovers, 8pm
Finn Harps v Bohemian, 8pm
Holders St Pat's Athletic, because of their European engagement, begin their defence at home to Waterford FC on Sunday. Danny Searle's side, currently third in the First Division, look set for a play-off spot at least and may look at this clash as one where they could spring a surprise.
It's 42 years since Waterford last lifted the famous trophy.
Sligo Rovers also had Europa Conference League matters to deal with during the week and they too are in action on Sunday, with Wexford FC making the long trip to The Showgrounds.
Every year at this time it's commonplace to refer to Shamrock Rovers as the 'cup specialists', this on the back of them winning it 25 times, with the last of those victories coming in 2019. It's a busy time of the year for the Hoops; their European journey continues in the Europa League on Thursday next, when KF Shkupi of North Macedonia arrive in D24 for the first leg of that third round Europa League qualifying clash.
But what of Bangor? Well, manager Stephen Bradley does not have a full picture of how they'll line up. He told the club's website: "We watched them a few games from last year, I know that there have been a few personnel changes this year so we are not too sure on their line up, but we have a general idea of what they will be about.
"We expect them to come to Tallaght and play with a bit of freedom as it is a bit of a free hit for them."
With Jack Byrne still injured, the Hoops boss will not have a full squad to pick from. During the week, Bradley added to the ranks with defender Daniel Cleary joining from St Johnstone and former Republic of Ireland Under-21 international and ex-Norwich City winger Simon Power, also making the move.
Bangor GG were drawn out of the hat first but have forfeited home advantage. The club, an amalgamation of Bangor Celtic and Greenhills/Greenpark FC, finished seventh in last year's Leinster Senior League.
For Finn Harps, a cup run may not necessarily be high on their agenda. They are currently joint-bottom with UCD on 12 points in the league's top flight, with goal difference keeping them ahead of the Students.
Last year's beaten finalists Bohemians brought a huge crowd to the Aviva last November. Needless to say a few of their fans will also head to Finn Park, with the side showing some improved league form on the back of wins over UCD and Drogheda United.
Dundalk, FAI Cup winners as recently as 2015, '18 and '20, welcome Longford Town to Oriel Park. The midlanders, twice victors in the 2000s, head to the Wee County following an impressive 2-1 win over Waterford - a result that keeps them well in the mix for a play-off in the second tier.
Stephen O'Donnell's side are still maintaining a title push in the Premier Division and will feel they have the squad to go on a long cup run.
They've been busy in the transfer window this week, with Robbie McCourt signing from Sligo Rovers, Alfie Lewis making the move from Plymouth Argyle, and Norwegian winger Runar Hauge coming in on loan from Hibernian until the end of the season.
Damien Duff's Shelbourne head down the road to take on Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds.
Shels released announced the signing of Ireland underage international winger Josh Giurgi, after his release from Norwich City. He saw 45 minutes of action against UCD last week and will be in line for another start.
Bray have struggled to find form of late, the Seagulls are currently residing in seventh place in the SSE First Division, and have lost three of their last four league outings.
Still, Duff isn't putting too much stock on any struggles by the seaside.
"This might be the biggest game of their season, but it's the same for us, it’s absolutely massive. We have ambitions and aims and we’re well aware of the opportunity the cup presents to us. This is a huge game for the players, and look, it is for me too on a personal level, it’s a special one.
"It’s my first cup game as a senior manager, it’s a great occasion but I’ll park that, we want to go out and win the tie, and that’s the only focus."
Cockhill Celtic, nine-in-a-row Ulster Senior League champions, are heading to the capital to take on UCD at the Bowl. The Buncrana side will be without key striker Garbhan Friel, who is away on holidays.
Nevertheless manager Gavin Cullen is talking up their chances against Premier Division opposition. He told Donegal Live: "They'll expect to win the game comfortably because of their fitness levels, but we’ll give this a go and we want to surprise them.
"We're definitely capable - and it wouldn’t be a surprise to ourselves if we did - but it’s the timing of the fixture more than the fixture itself.
"You want to go with a full squad, but we have players to come in who are capable of playing."
Drogheda United, who were well worth their point against Shamrock Rovers last week, will be fancied to progress at home against First Division bottom side Athlone Town.
Elsewhere on Friday, Usher Celtic, of the Leinster Senior League, are away to Treaty United, while another LSS side, and last year's quarter-finalists, Maynooth University Town, play host to Waterford & District League outfit Villa FC.
Other non-league ties across the weekend pits Lucan United against Killester Donnycarney FC, Bonagee United v Pike Rovers and Salthill Devon v Malahide United.
SATURDAY'S FIXTURES
Derry City v Oliver Bond Celtic, 5pm
Lucan United v Killester Donnycarney FC, 6.30pm
SUNDAY'S FIXTURES
Bonagee United v Pike Rovers, 2pm
Salthill Devon v Malahide United, 2pm
Bluebell United v Galway United, 3pm
St Patrick's Athletic v Waterford, 3pm
Cobh Ramblers v Cork City - 4pm
Sligo Rovers v Wexford FC, 6pm
