Waterford FC are well placed to reach the First Division play-off, with Galway and Longford all square ahead of their second leg, while Tallaght Stadium will be the setting as Shamrock Rovers are crowned the 2022 Premier Division champions.
SATURDAY
First Division Promotion play-off second leg
Waterford (4) v Treaty United (1), RSC, 7.45pm
This tie looks done and dusted after the opening leg, where Waterford's class was too much for Treaty in a game where Phoenix Patterson stole the show. It certainly a case of Phoenix on the rise; his talents are surely worthy of a place in the top division. A lot of pundits favour the Blues to jump this play-off hurdle, not only that they also fancy them to get by either Finn Harps or UCD for that prized ticket back to the top flight.
Patterson, who played alongside Troy Parrott for the Tottenham's U-23, has fired in 20 goals so far from the wing this season. Two of those came in Wednesday's relatively straightforward dismissal of Tommy Barrett's side.
Barrett, along with other managers in the First Division, have no hesitation in saying that Patterson is the standout player in the section, with the 22-year-old recently being named the SSE/SWI Player of the Month, just the third player from the First Division to receive the award in in over 11 years.
Needless to say Waterford will aim to be professional as they look to put the tie firmly to bed, a point emphasised by midfielder Niall O'Keeffe when speaking to waterfordfc.ie.
"As a group, it's important to remember that this is only the first leg, and we have to show that same level of professionalism for the second leg on Saturday.
"As a group we’re taking it game by game, and we play in front of our own home fans for the final time this season on Saturday.
"It’s a big one for us, and I know that we’re a couple of goals ahead, but that can’t take away from how we prepare and focus on the game. We’ll be looking to try to beat them by a couple more goals again."
Twenty points separated Waterford and Treaty in table, as did 42 goals in the goal difference column. Tommy Barrett will always be quick to remind you that his side are effectively an amateur setup. A collective, however, that did acquit themselves well this term, with an FAI Cup semi-final appearance also testifying to a productive campaign.
SUNDAY
Galway United (2) v Longford Town (2), Eamonn Deacy Park, 4pm
Are we in for another cracker after the thrills and spills of what was served up in the opening leg at Bishopsgate? Former United striker Jordan Adeyemo twice gave Town the lead but Mikey Rowe, a half-time substitute, responded twice. A fair outcome? Probably.
Exactly a year ago, Galway had drawn their opening game in the play-off against Bray Wanderers and were fancied to get the job done in the return by the banks of the Corrib. They struggled, however, to find any sort of rhythm and the Seagulls ran out deserving 1-0 winners. Failure to negotiate the same hurdle 12 months on will be another blow for manager John Caulfield, who was brought in to ensure that the club would again dine at the top table.
In truth the westerners have been out of form for the last few months, with Waterford eventually overtaking them for place.
Attacker Stephen Walsh's form, though, hasn't dipped, and he again was to fore as Galway eventually earned parity last Wednesday. Ronan Manning's ability is not in question, but he needs to express it more often.
On chances created in the first leg Longford will feel they should be ahead in the tie. Midfielder Darren Clarke was a driving force throughout; his mazy runs often leaving the opposition floundering.
The tight confines of Eamonn Deacy Park may suit the hosts more, with Town having less space to spray it about. Expect a more cagey affair then.
Premier Division
Shamrock Rovers v Derry City, Tallaght Stadium, 7pm (Live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player)
And so we have a coronation. Draws against Shelbourne and Sligo Rovers took Derry out of the title equation and so there will be celebratory mood in D24 for when the Hoops receive the Premier Division trophy - a 20th title for the club, one that completes a hat-trick of titles under Stephen Bradley.
There's no arguing as to the merits of this latest success for a side, who boosted by the coffers of their run in Europe, will now be looking to firmly establish themselves as a dominant force.
Before the Hoops departed Glenmalure Park in 1987, a fourth league title was won under Jim McLoughlin. Stephen Bradley wants to equal that, and then win five on the bounce.
"That has to be the aim," he told RTÉ Sport earlier this week.
"How we can improve in all aspects, on and off the pitch."
A point against Gent in the Conference League earned the champions €166,000. The campaign finishes next week away to group winners Djurgaarden. Rovers, no doubt will travel to Sweden in high spirits after lifting another domestic title. Getting another few quid in the bank would be a nice way to end the season, even though the manager admits another few additions are required to ensure that the squad are more consistent on their travels in Europe next year.
Bradley did have to chop and change his side to cope with the Thursday-Sunday schedule of games.
"We made too many changes in games," he told RTÉ Sport of the lessons they need to take into Europe in 2023.
"We knew that at the time. If you make five changes to your team it takes your rhythm away. You'd like to make only one or two.
"But you have to make those changes because the players you're changing are carrying knocks and they can only play one game in a week.
"You've got to decide what game are they going to play for you. People look at it and say you've made a lot of changes, but there's so many factors that go into that.
"Players' load over the course of a season - are they in the red zone, are they going to get injured? There's so much that goes into making them decisions.
"A lot of players we changed were carrying knocks and the physios and doctors are saying, 'of the three games this week they can only play in one'.
"It's not ideal, we know it's not ideal. Hopefully if we get to this stage next year, we haven't got the knocks to those key players and you make or two changes, not five."
Looking ahead to the 2023 campaign, Bradley added: "You need to be further ahead in the league. We need to add one or two to the group.
"Our home performances have been right there. If we bring that to the table more often than not - hopefully we're back here next year - we'll be ok. People react to results, and I understand that, but our home performances have been just there."
Derry City look well placed to be the Hoops nearest pursuers again next season, with boss Ruaidhrí Higgins sure to invest as the Candystripes look forward to what will hopefully be a longer journey for them in Europe.
As to closing the gap domestically, Higgins was bullish when telling RTÉ Sport: "They have been the most consistent team. People have said they have stumbled the last while but if you look at the form guide, they haven't really.
"They have had a couple of draws and won the majority of their games, but we know we are getting closer. The head-to-heads between us, we have been very good in.
"I think they know we are getting closer as well.
"It is important we go down there Sunday and show the level we are capable of."
Derry lost nothing in defeat when losing in Tallaght back in May. With the pressure off this time, they'll aim to again worry the champions. The expected carnival atmosphere will also serve as a good prep for the FAI Cup final date with Shelbourne in a fortnight's time.
