The first round of the Sports Direct FAI Cup begins tonight with little fanfare due to European exploits and the FIFA Women's World Cup, but there are many clubs dreaming of the Aviva Stadium in November.
At least two Premier Division clubs will exit the competition tonight, with the highlights of the seven matches a Dublin derby between Bohemians and Shelbourne.
The sides met last week in an exciting 1-1 draw which the home side had the better of for large spells, only for Bohs to finish strongly and almost win it.
Tonight’s game will bring the same intensity as Shels look to repeat their great run under Damien Duff last year as they reached Lansdowne Road.
He said: "I think the cup run brought us on leaps and bounds, I'd put the final in that bracket too. You learn the most from defeats and bad defeats in particular, can bring you on as a person. That’s where the most learning and growing up came for our lads.
"Guys that played in the Aviva last November and were involved. I think there’s motivation there. They know the last game was against Derry and that was a tough day, a very hard one to take. I think those lads will go out with a point to prove, and I think players should embrace that feeling.
"Listen we all approach games differently but that’s what I loved as a player, having to prove people wrong, I loved being slaughtered, being given out to, I think it made me a better player, carrying that bit of anger, that gave you an edge. If I became calm and nice and played that way it never brought the best out of me."
The other all-Premier Division clash sees Drogheda United host Sligo Rovers at Weavers Park.
Coincidentally these sides also face back-to-back meetings with a vitally important league game next week.
Their thoughts have been trying to stave off a ninth-place finish and both recorded wins last week to pile pressure on Cork City.
Sligo, in particular, as a full-time outfit set to miss out on Europe, will see the Cup as a major opportunity to transform their season.
Cork City have been in mourning this week following the tragic death of star striker Ruairi Keating’s father enroute to watch their match in Sligo.
As a result the match with Treaty United has been deferred until Saturday.
Cobh Ramblers will fancy their chances of take a Premier Division scalp when they travel to the UCD Bowl.
College have had a nightmare season in truth with two wins from 24 matches and a break from the league will come as a relief.
Ramblers, famed for their 1983 exploits in this competition which saw a long-running semi-final saga with Sligo, have enjoyed their best campaign in years under Shane Keegan.
They’ve moved to third spot in the division dominated by Galway United and Waterford and look well-placed for the play-offs.
Victory here would add to the fine job Keegan has done so far at Colman’s Park.
Kerry will play their first-ever FAI Cup match when Ringmahon Rangers visit Mounthawk Park.
Like UCD, their hasn’t been a lot to smile about for Kerry, so this game is a welcome relief.
Ringmahon Rangers, known most for developing Caoimhin Kelleher before his move to Liverpool, will be excited at the potential for an upset as a Kerry-Cork derby beckons.
Kilbarrack United are back in the FAI Cup for the first time in a decade as Finn Harps make a rare trip to the capital.
Kilbarrack reached the semi-finals of the Intermediate Cup last season and will be rewarded with the tie at Greendale.
Wexford host Cork side Avondale United in the final tie of the evening.
Ten matches take place across Saturday and Sunday in the first round, the fixtures can be found here.
