Three major issues in the 2022 League of Ireland come to the fore this evening as a season which looked like petering out hots up with just three full rounds of matches to come.
When Derry City were soundly beaten by Sligo Rovers on 23 May, their title hopes looked over and, indeed, they looked to be getting sucked back into a battle for a European position.
Derry are in Sligo for the return fixture this Monday and remarkably have been unbeaten domestically since that game.
The 14-league game run and passage to the FAI Cup final has the Candystripes dreaming of a double, but it all depends on the next few days.
For now, Ruaidhri Higgins' men simply have hope.
Shamrock Rovers dropped points last week in Drogheda, meaning the Hoops are six points ahead but with a game more played.
With a clash of the top two teams in come in Tallaght on Sunday week, the Candystripes have it in their own hands but will likely need a 100% winning run to dethrone the two-time champions.
A cup final dress rehearsal is scheduled for Derry tonight. City have found it tough against Damien Duff’s men and it remains to be seen if this is a good time to face them.
The other in-form team in the country is St Patrick’s Athletic.
An easy 2-0 win in June was demoralising for all in Inchicore but since the European campaign they have been relentless.
One league defeat to Derry in the last 11 has put the Saints in a race with Dundalk for third spot in the division.
Whether they can go to Tallaght and claim victory against a side which hasn’t tasted defeat in over a year at home domestically is a different matter but the Saints are flying high after their 3-1 success over Bohemians last week.
Shamrock Rovers will welcome a crowd of over 7,000, including 1,100 making the short trip further south from Inchicore.
The Lilywhites will see their home game with Sligo as a chance to maintain or grow their lead on Pat’s.
The Bit O’Red have little to play for but pride and maintaining their fifth position.
There’s also the small matter of the relegation battle as UCD, who were so disappointing in losing to John Russell’s men two weeks ago, host Drogheda United.
College, like Derry, face a potentially league-defining weekend with this game and their match in hand against Shels on Monday.
Finally, Declan Devine will take charge of Bohemians for the first time against relegation-threatened Finn Harps.
The Donegal side have three matches left in their season in the bid to stay above the Students and any positive result here would be a massive help.
All five games have a lot riding on them this evening. Shamrock Rovers v St Patrick's Athletic is live on RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player from 7.30pm,
Shamrock Rovers v St Patrick's Athletic, Tallaght Stadium, 7.45pm
It's another big occasion in Tallaght for a Dublin derby. Pat's haven't tasted success in Tallaght for quite a while but have plenty of experience having competed in Europe in the stadium in the summer.
Three 1-0 wins have occurred in the fixture so far, with the Hoops one up on their neighbours.
Despite some less than impressive league displays, Stephen Bradley's side are still closing on a third league win on the spin.
The busy European campaign looks to have caught up on the leaders as they tried to fight on both fronts.
The focus is very much on the league now and Stephen Bradley is not letting the narrowing lead change their mindset. "We know that there are only a few games left in the season," he said.
"We will focus like we always do, prepare like we always do, and if we perform as we do more often than not the result will look after itself.
"We'll have to be at our best, it’s a big game. St Pat's are playing very well, they have some good players and they will be coming to Tallaght to win the game. We know that we have to be at our very best to take three points."
Pat's boss Clancy feels his side can break the Hoops' long-standing record without defeat: "We're looking forward to another big game in front of a big crowd in Tallaght. We are on a good run of form heading into the business end of the season and we're hoping to continue that here.
"We played well against Bohemians last Friday and we'll need to do the same in another Dublin derby against Rovers, it will be a difficult game against a good Rovers side, but we're confident if we can put in a good performance we'll be able to get the three points.
"The atmosphere in Tallaght for our games there this season has been brilliant, we've had huge away crowds for the two matches against them in the President's Cup and the League, and we had almost 7,000 supporters there for the European game against CSKA Sofia."
Tom Grivosti (suspended) is out, while Barry Cotter cannot face his parent club, while manager Tim Clancy will serve a one match touchline ban.
Gary O'Neill and Alan Mannus are doubtful for the home side.
Derry City v Shelbourne, Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, 7.45pm
It's great times for Derry City and Shelbourne fans as they snapped up FAI Cup final tickets but that will be parked this evening.
Both sides are in great form and have played close games so far this season.
Shels have secured a win in the Brandywell, with Dundalk the only other sides to do so in Ireland this season.
Ruaidhri Higgins has dismissed any suggestion of a final dress rehearsal.
He said: "Maybe if there was nothing at stake on Friday night you could call it a dress rehearsal but because it's our next match and there is still much work to do, for us it’s the biggest game of the season so far.
"Shelbourne have enjoyed a very good season and have a cup final to look to look forward to next month.
"They’ve comfortably consolidated their place in the Premier Division and posted some impressive wins along the way.
"Obviously they won here earlier in the season so I’m well aware what they’re capable of.
"We’re on a very good run of form ourselves of course - we’ve won nine domestic games on the spin. The players are in good form and we want to keep that run going and try to make it 10.
"We’re also in good shape in terms of personnel. Obviously Ciaron Harkin is out for the rest of the season but apart from a few bumps and bruises, everybody else is ready to go."
Shelbourne manager Damien Duff says they won't be taking their eye off the ball with safety long since secured in the league.
"Look you can say the pressure is on them for many reasons, there's a league title there for them if they can get the results, the race is still open, but I’m not worried about the pressure being off us, it’s not off us at all.
"People outside can say there’s no pressure on us, but it’s absolutely not the case for us, the one thing we’ve created here is a pressure environment, we’re setting our own standards, we’re not driven by outside or around us, the lads have bought into that, they aren’t allowed to take the pressure off, they need to be at it every game.
"If people expect us to roll up there, rest players, celebrate that we’re safe, that’s not us. We’re after two things, and it’s every week. Regardless of anything else going on, that has never changed. We’re looking for A: performance; B: results."
Shels will be without Sean Boyd who serves a two-game suspension after accumulating 12 yellow cards this season, while Matty Smith can't play against Derry City. Jad Hakiki continues to rehab an injury, while Dan Hawkins and Conor Kane remain sidelined with long term injuries.
Dundalk v Sligo Rovers, Oriel Park, 7.45pm
Dundalk's home record has been a staple of their success this season. Despite a wobble late in the third series of matches, a European finish is within touching distance.
The Bit O'Red won the previous meeting of these sides but didn't take the points after it was overturned following the discovery of an ineligible player for John Russell's side.
A narrow win for the Lilywhites in Finn Park last time was vital in their quest to finish third.
It's been hard going for Sligo in Oriel Park in recent seasons but Stephen O'Donnell is wary of the visitors.
"They have good individuals and we'll have to be on our mettle," he said.
"Our previous three games against them this season have been quite even and they are a very capable team, as their results in Europe over the summer showed.
In Aidan Keena, they have the top scorer in the league and they carry a threat going forward.
"From our point of view, we want to build on last week’s good win against Finn Harps in Ballybofey. The first half was one of our most purposeful performances away from home. We did what the game demanded, we won our duels, we were physical and we carried an attacking threat."
Garry Buckley and Mark Byrne remain sidelined long-term for Rovers along with Luke McNicholas and David Cawley.
Max Mata missed the' last outing against UCD a fortnight ago but returns to the squad here.
Niall Morahan is a doubt with an ankle injury picked up in training this week.
Russell wants to end the year on a high note: "We come into the game after a good performance and win over UCD.
"The players showed a real hunger and desire to win the game and we expect the same again on Friday night.
"It's important we finish the season strongly."
Bohemians v Finn Harps, Dalymount Park, 7.45pm
Declan Devine is in the door in Dalymount Park with fighting talk and plans to turn around the club after a disappointing season.
He will meet the Bohs fans for the first time tonight, taking over in the dugout from caretaker boss Derek Pender.
"I've only been in the door for four days, but I have loved absolutely every angle that the club is coming from," said Devine.
"People are stopping me on the street to wish me good luck. It’s been a bit of a whirlwind. I’m planning on being here as long as I possibly can. I’m going to surround myself with people who want success.
"This is the People’s Club - we have to get a team that reflects that."
While it'll be an important night for the Gypsies and Devine, Harps are battling for survival and know time is ticking.
UCD remain behind them but with a game in hand, Ollie Horgan knows things can change very quickly and they can't rely on favour.
He said: "We did well in the second half last Friday but if we only turn up for half the game then we'll not get very far.
"If you’re looking for positives it shows that we can play at a level and cause teams problems, but we need to stop shooting ourselves in the foot to give us a real chance.
"Declan Devine has come in at Bohs now and the players will be eager to impress the new manager ahead of their remaining games. We’re running out of games to solidify our position and put some space between ourselves and UCD, but hopefully we can carry through some of that fight from the second half of the Dundalk game and come away with a result."
Bohemians are without the injured Jon McCraken, James Talbot, Ryan Burke, Laurenz Dehl, Tyreke Wilson, John O'Sullivan, Johnny Afolabi and Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe, while Chris Lotefa is a doubt. Declan McDaid and Josh Kerr return from injury, while Jordan Flores is available again following his one-game suspension.
For Harps, David Webster misses out through injury, while James McKeown, Robert Slevin, Eric McWoods and Elie-Gael N’Zeyi Kibonge are doubts.
UCD v Drogheda United, UCD Bowl, 7.45pm
UCD boss Andy Myler will serve a four-game sideline ban due a recent red card.
That will take him out of the dugout for the remainder of the season. He will hope to return for a play-off in November and tonight's fixture will have a big say in it.
Drogheda are pitching for seventh place and last week's draw with Shamrock Rovers showed just how difficult an opponent they can be this season.
College will have looked to this fixture as a possible three points in their struggles, but their recent form - four defeats in five, as well as an FAI Cup exit to First Division Treaty United - suggests that the meeting with Finn Harps next Friday will define their season.
The Students are bottom on goal difference, with a game less played than Harps, so they'll be looking to take at least a point out of the next four days, with a trip to Shelbourne to come on Monday night.
Watch Shamrock Rovers v St Patrick's Athletic in the SSE Airtricity League live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player from 7.30pm on Friday, with live blog on RTÉ.ie/sport and RTÉ News app
