The first league meeting of title rivals Shamrock Rovers and Derry City was not expected to draw this much intrigue given it is just the third match week of the new League of Ireland season.
A winless start by Shamrock Rovers, albeit they were within touching distance of three points on both occasions, a crisis of absent defenders and a Derry City injury hoodoo are just some of the storylines around a fixture which will attract over 7,000 fans to Tallaght Stadium.
The Hoops are aiming to make it four league titles in a row this year, with Derry expected to be the leading challenger.
Often a slow starter performance-wise, Stephen Bradley’s side gradually get a stranglehold on the league and brush aside each rival.
It would be significant if Derry could go to Tallaght tonight and open up a five-point gap, though given their opposition are closing on two years unbeaten in the league at home, that is a major ask.
Red cards to three central defenders in the first two weeks leaves Stephen Bradley short on options and possibly needing a tactical reshuffle as Vinny Perth pointed out on this week’s RTÉ Soccer Podcast.
The Hoops have not played in Tallaght yet this season due to work on the new fourth stand so a return to home comforts will be welcome.
For Derry, injuries to the likes of key men like Michael Duffy and Cameron Dummingan has left them down on options.
Ruaidhri Higgins watched his players do enough to beat a Cork City side struggling to adapt to the top flight, while the previous week they came close to a much more eye-catching scalp of St Patrick’s Athletic before conceding in the final moments.
All in all, it sets up a clash between the likely top two in this year's league that will produce many talking points.
It’s not beyond the realms of possibility that Cork City and UCD could be fighting it out at the other end of the table.
They meet at Turner’s Cross tonight with the home side desperate to find their feet back in the top flight.
Colin Healy made changes last week where he relied upon the players who got the club promoted rather than his new signings.
College counted themselves unfortunate not to get a second point of the season after a controversial Max Mata penalty denied them against Sligo Rovers.
High-flying Bohemians make the very short journey to Tolka Park where once again sold out signs are up.
Bohs fans have been snapping up home end tickets such is the demand after selling out their 800 allocation in a few minutes.
What a finish from Declan McDaid 👊#LOI | @bfcdublin pic.twitter.com/fJxRLkesXU
— League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) February 25, 2023
Damien Duff’s side are seeking their first victory of the season and just a second in the last 15 matches in the Premier Division.
They did comfortably deal with Bohs in the FAI Cup last year which may be on the minds of their neighbours.
Dundalk are also looking to kickstart their year when Stephen O’Donnell comes up against his former club St Patrick’s Athletic.
Their ownership and investment situation became somewhat clearer this week, although what is more pressing now is whether O’Donnell can gel the new signings into his squad soon.
The manager stated he felt the season came a bit early for his side – hinting that there was not enough time to be into their stride so soon because of changes in their playing-staff. They recruited entirely outside the league this window.
The final game of the night sees Sligo Rovers journey to Drogheda as two unbeaten sides clash at Weavers Park.
The Bit O’ Red can be pleased with their work so far this campaign. New signings Johan Brannefalk and Reece Hutchinson have impressed in the full-back areas, while RB Leipzig loanee Fabrice Hartmann’s role of the bench was pivotal last week.
Mata, now in his second season in The Showgrounds, has stepped up to the leading role with Aidan Keena departing.
The first hat-trick of the 2023 league will have done little harm for confidence.
United meanwhile have held Shels and Shamrock Rovers to low-scoring draws, showing great battling qualities last week to claim a point against the champions.
Four of the match five Premier Division games were at full capacity in round two, with further positive indications on television coverage as well.
The first televised match of the season, Cork City v Bohemians, drew an average audience of 66,000 on RTÉ2, up from 52,000 for the opening night Shels v St Pat's meeting last year.
The next televised game is Derry City v Sligo Rovers on St Patrick's Day.
RTÉ Sport, the sole television broadcaster signed up with the league, will go on to show a further 16 matches as well as four FAI Cup games in 2023.
Shamrock Rovers v Derry City, Tallaght Stadium, 8pm
These teams have played out some close games in the last year.
A line can largely be put through the President's Cup meeting given the circumstances. Derry managed to oust the Hoops on the way to winning the FAI Cup in 2022, while Rory Gaffney scored the deciding goal in the final league game to demonstrate the superiority held by Bradley's outfit over the marathon that is the league.
It's been a year and a week since a late Jamie McGonigle strike demonstrated that Derry were a coming force.
Tonight can show how much progress has been made.
Alan Reynolds took charge of training at Derry City this week with Ruaidhri Higgins in Sweden following the untimely passing of his brother. Higgins will return to the dugout in time for the game.
Cameron Dummigan, Cameron McJannet, Michael Duffy and Adam O'Reilly all missed last week's win over Cork City while Sadou Diallo served the final match of his ban so he definitely comes back into contention.
Full-time: Derry City 2-1 Shamrock Rovers - Jamie McGonigle wins it for Derry deep in injury time after pouncing on a Roberto Lopes mistake. #RTESoccer pic.twitter.com/uP6qiPKNHd
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) February 25, 2022
Reynolds, giving a squad update, said: "Sadou will be back and that's a great bonus for us and Adam has a chance of making it, but the rest will be out for another week at least.
"As Ruaidhri says though, we have the squad to cope with these things much better now.
"We lost narrowly on our two visits to Tallaght last year and it's something we want to improve on, so it's a game we'll go and try to win.
"It's a game we're excited about- a really good venue, great pitch and no doubt in front of a huge crowd too.
"There's very little between the teams and it's early in the season. People are still finding their feet so it'll be another tight game I'm sure."
Bradley is attempting to keep his cards close in how he will cope without his first choice defenders Lee Grace, Roberto Lopes and Dan Cleary due to suspension.
Sean Hoare, Sean Kavanagh and Ronan Finn are considered doubts - many of whom could have slotted into the vacant positions.
"We're not sure on all three, Bradley admitted.
"Even Sean Gannon's comeback in Drogheda was very early for him. We didn't want him to play a part in the game but obviously the way things played out we had to get him on.
"Sean Gannon, with his experience did really well. I'm glad he came through that game alright but the others.
"Ronan is the more serious of the three but we'll have to check on them and see how they're getting on."
Cork City v UCD, Turner's Cross, 7.45pm
It hasn't been a happy return for Cork City, this second home game of the season already brings a degree of pressure.
City fans will recogonise life in the Premier is not easy. New owner Dermot Usher has said he has given Colin Healy more than his requested budget, yet that hasn't transpired into proven quality coming in the door.
Just two new signings started in Derry last week, and it wouldn't be a big shock if Healy plotted a similar outlook tonight.
College have begun brightly with Danu Kinsella-Bishop looking a real livewire in attack, Alex Nolan helping to offset the loss of Dylan Duffy and Brendan Barr looking a fine accquistion from Derry.
Ciaran Behan has also been an accomplished performer and given they've retained lots of experience in Lorcan Healy, Jack Keaney and Michael Gallagher for now at least, the Students are not a team to dismiss.
Shelbourne v Bohemians, Tolka Park, 7.45pm
Things can change quickly in the League of Ireland as each year proves and mood changes are certainly a case in these clubs.
The 3-0 FAI Cup quarter-final in September felt like a seismic day. For Bohs it was a real low. Keith Long had departed, leaving behind a team which were outfought on the day.
Declan Devine spent the off-season overhauling his squad, cutting loose some of the mid-season signings and adding the likes of James Akintunde, Paddy Kirk and Adam McDonnell from around the league.
Some late defensive additions were a boost in what was a problem area for the Gyspsies.
Devine has led the club to two wins early in the season. Chief operating office Daniel Lambert described last week's occasion against Dundalk as a result of a decade of work as the biggest crowd since 2009 descended on Dalymount and the team delivered.
Bohs have shown they will be a challenger for the top four early on. Time will tell if their early wins were a result of facing teams not quite up to speed for the new year or if they have considerably improved under their new boss.
Shels will feel they lost some of the momentum from their Cup win that day. The demoralising 4-0 Cup final loss, coupled with missing out on an investment deal from Southampton owners Sport Republic, did not make for a happy winter.
Damien Duff will count his side very unfortunate not to have more points on board given they missed a host of chances against Drogheda and conceded a late goal to Pat's when they were more than competitive last week.
This seems like an ideal time to register their first league win, but if they are to win they must do so without Shane Griffin who is not expected to be involved in this week's game as he continues to rehab a muscular issue.
Sean Boyd remains sidelined having missed the 1-0 loss to St Patrick’s Athletic a week ago, while Jad Hakiki is still working on his recovery.
Devine, meanwhile, is not understating progress he has seen.
"There is an incredible togetherness there and a willingness from everybody to do each other's work in difficult moments of games.
"Their mentality has grown as a group and we want to improve that further over the course of the season.
"Our performances have been good but I still think there is a lot more in us. We have made great strides but we need to strive to get better still. It is still very much early days but this group has given us a hell of a lot on a daily basis."
James Clarke (thigh) is a doubt but Jay Benn (concussion) will be available for selection for the first time after overcoming a head injury.
Dundalk v St Patrick’s Athletic, Oriel Park, 7.45pm
As the new season loomed many pundits tipped Dundalk and Pat's as the most likely contenders for the title outside of the trophy winners of last year who meet in Tallaght Stadium,
The Saints have laid down a marker with four points at home early on, but that hasn't been the case for O'Donnell's men.
With two games in Oriel over these next four days, that can quickly turnaround.
Pat's and Dundalk met four times in the league in 2022 and shared the spoils over all with two draws and a win each.
Saints boss Tim Clancy said: "There was very little in the games between ourselves and Dundalk last season, we've obviously got fond memories of our last minute winner up there last year, it's going to be another tough game.
"Dundalk lost by the odd goal against Bohemians last week so they'll be looking to bounce back with a win at home, they only got beaten at Oriel Park once last season and that was against us, it will be a tough ask but we want to try to make it two wins in a row up there.
"Our lads will be full of confidence heading into our first away game after our performances at home against Derry City and Shelbourne.
"We had two huge home crowds and it's great to see that our away allocation for Dundalk has sold out so quickly, the supporters are always a big boost for us, we'll he hoping to give them more to cheer about on Friday night."
Pat's goalkeeper Danny Rogers dislocated and fractured his thumb in the warm up last Friday and will be out of action for around six weeks, Harry Brockbank (calf) remains out while Adam Murphy (achilles) is back running and could return to action soon.
The home side are without Robbie McCourt serves the final game of a three-match suspension while Robbie Benson is close to a return. John Mountney (knee) is a long-term absentee.
O'Donnell feels his can will come good soon: "I can understand people wondering why I'm saying there were lots of positives even though we lost the game but I saw enough on Friday and I see enough on a day-to-day basis to know that we're heading in the right direction.
"I'd be excited by quite a few of our individuals and I'd be very confident in the weeks to come that when everybody's back up and running in training, and the new additions have had a bit of time to get a feel for the opposition and the league, that we'll have a very good core and a good team and I can see us progressing really well as the season goes on."
Drogheda United v Sligo Rovers, Weavers Park, 7.45pm
Kevin Doherty had his budget reduced for the new season despite performing heroics last year.
It demonstrates a club operating within their reality and relying on some savvy operating in terms of bring in new players.
As a part-time club, United have the advantage of being able to bring in players not willing to commit to leaving a day job behind.
Their midfield passed a real test last week as Gary Deegan, goal-scoring Ryan Brennan and Darragh Markey worked wonders.
Their two Lincoln City loanees also started while Emmanuel Adegboyega shone as an early substitute making his senior debut having joined from Dundalk's Under-19s.
Doherty was thrilled with the sold out crowd in Weavers Park last week and the display by his team.
"The connection is there. We have to capitalise on it. The players and staff are contributing here and the supporters are as well. The more that come here the better we're going to be.
"I was really pleased with everything about last Friday. We recovered well from the goal. Everything was great from the atmosphere to the performance. We had enough chances to win the game last week.
"It was Shamrock Rovers and they didn't go away with three points which they do in most places. We deserved to get the three points."
Sligo Rovers have made a solid start to the season, holding champions Shamrock Rovers to a draw before taking all three points from UCD.
Manager John Russell is expecting a tough test for his side in Oriel Park.
''Drogheda Utd have started the season well," he said. "They were unlucky not to take all 3 points last weekend.
‘’They have a nice blend of youth and experience in their squad. They’re always a tough opponent at home so we will need to be at our best to get a result.
‘’We have shown good signs in our opening two games. The players have reacted well to going behind but, our aim is to start keeping clean sheets while still having that attacking threat’’.
Rovers continue to be without injured trio Garry Buckley, Gary Boylan and Mark Byrne (All knee injuries) but new signing Bogdan Vastsuk is expected to be back among the squad after a recent hamstring issue.
Listen to the RTÉ Soccer podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
We need your consent to load this rte-player contentWe use rte-player to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences
