With three of the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division clubs having been in Europa Conference League action on Thursday, it sets up an important Sunday for the two sides - Shamrock Rovers and Dundalk - who will only have domestic targets for the remainder of the campaign.
Derry City, whose European odyssey will continue with a long journey to Kazakhstan this coming week, have been given a timely break with their fixture against UCD rescheduled for 6 September.
Dundalk v Shelbourne, Oriel Park, 5pm
Dundalk were knocked out of the Europa Conference League on aggregate after Thursday's 2-2 draw against KA of Iceland but the bigger news for them centred around the return of one of the key men from the golden era of the mid-2010s.
Winger Daryl Horgan makes Oriel Park his home again, seven years after he left for Preston North End, and he is slated to make his Lilywhites comeback pending international clearance.
The interim saw the 30-year-old win 17 caps for the Republic of Ireland as well as experiencing life at Preston, Wycombe, Hibernian and Stevenage and his former team-mate and now Dundalk manager, Stephen O'Donnell, did not hide his excitement about pitching Horgan straight back into the LOI.
"He's a thorough professional and he was in training for a couple of weeks with Wycombe and played a week ago," he said.
"He looks in really good condition so I don’t think he’s going to take that long at all to get up to speed."
Dundalk also added former Sheffield Wednesday forward Sam Durrant to their squad ahead of the Shelbourne game.
Sixth-place Shels, meanwhile, are just one point behind Dundalk going into their second away fixture in a row.
Damien Duff will have defensive duo Shane Griffin and Paddy Barrett available again after they recovered from their respective injuries, while forward Matty Smith is edging closer to a return.
Will Jarvis, who recently arrived from sister club Hull City on loan, has also had a full week of training with the squad.
"Will has settled fine, we saw glimpses of him last week and the ability he has," said Duff. "He's still in pre-season, he’s a lot of talent no doubt, he’s a quiet boy but it’s up to us as staff to help bring him out of his shell, that’s the other side of management.
"He’s settled in and has two familiar faces Harry Fisk and Harry Wood and that’s helped.
"Let’s call a spade a spade, he won’t be here for long, he has to get the best out of this loan experience and we have to get the best out of him as a player. Young boy, lots of talent, wants to make a mark. Great, let’s go."
Shamrock Rovers v Cork City, Tallaght Stadium, 6pm
It's been a month since Shamrock Rovers played a league match with FAI Cup and European commitments in between.
Neither of those latter competitions are targets any more and in the meantime, a title race has started to develop with St Patrick's Athletic and Bohemians closing within one and two points respectively of the leaders.
The Hoops have been off the boil on all fronts in recent weeks with Stephen Bradley's side enduring a run of six defeats and a draw from seven in all competitions since they beat Derry City on 26 June.
Injuries have been a factor with a host of players sidelined including Jack Byrne, Neil Farrugia and Trevor Clarke, although Bradley confirmed that Rory Gaffney will be back to face Cork City.
He said: "Trevor Clarke is doing really well, he's going to be ahead of schedule. We were fearing 14 weeks for him, but it’s more likely six to seven so that’s credit to Trevor.
"Neil Farrugia is close, probably back next week as will Lee Grace. Rory Gaffney is back [on Sunday], and Jack Byrne has seen a specialist in England and, thankfully, he thinks that Jack is only a couple of more weeks out, which is great news. He’ll miss Shels next week, then we’ve a break so he might be back for the home game v Dundalk the following week.
"We’re getting bodies back for this important part of the season."
Cork come into the trip to Tallaght off the back of a week which saw Drogheda United boss Kevin Doherty turn down an approach to fill the managerial vacancy.
Recent form has also been an issue with four defeats and two draws from their last six league games which has left them second from bottom and six points adrift of definitive safety.
But they have made another signing with midfielder Ben Worman brought in from Cambridge United during the week, although Daniel Krezic has left the club.
"We are very pleased to get Ben in," said sporting director and interim manager Liam Buckley. "He's a good addition to the group, he has quality and he has League One experience as well. He can score and create goals, or he can also play deeper, so he will give us good options in the middle of the park.
"Daniel has returned to Sweden. We thank him for his time with the club and wish him the best of luck for the future."
