The second round of the FAI Cup begins tonight with six of the eight ties, including a potential rehearsal for the promotion/relegation play-off in the league and a number of other lower divisions sides eyeing an upset.
Cork City have not won in eight league matches, with a home draw against UCD last week leading to a chorus on boos in Turners Cross.
A much-changed City outfit lost 3-1 to Cobh Ramblers in the Munster Senior Cup on Monday night – a result or performance which counts for little – but it worsened the mood ahead of the visit Waterford FC.
The Blues are simply waiting for the play-offs after establishing themselves in second place in the First Division.
Galway United hold a near insurmountable lead at the top while Cobh are a similar number of points away from Keith Long’s side.
It will be October and November fixtures which decide their season, and there is a strong possibility these teams could do battle again.
Long will view it as an ideal chance to test themselves against Premier Division opposition and the possibility of a run to the final given the open nature of the draw.
Long told the club website: "It's a big cup game and we’re looking forward to a really good Munster derby. Hopefully we’ll have a great travelling support behind the team again because we’ll need that going to Turners Cross, and it’s an opportunity to show what a big football club Waterford FC is – with a proud tradition.
"Cork are operating at a different level to us week-to-week so we’ve got to make sure we can iron out some of the problems we’ve had, go attack the game, trust and believe in ourselves and give a really good account of ourselves.
"We’re underdogs but it’s a game we’re really looking forward to."
Harry Nevin and Barry Baggley are both injury absentees for Waterford.
It would hardly register as a shock if Galway United were to overcome UCD tonight.
United are cruising towards the title and will face the Students who have lost 20 of their 26 league games.
Nevertheless they showed some mettle to dispatch Cobh Ramblers in the last round and the deserved point in Turner’s Cross last week has boosted confidence.
Galway boss John Caulfield isn't underestimating the opposition and told the club website: "Andrew Myler has done a great job with UCD in the last couple of years. He has got them promotion to the Premier Division and has kept them there.
"We are well aware of all their strengths - they have a lot of experience, led by their captain Jack Keaney. We always know how difficult it is to go to UCD.
"They had a terrific win in the last round against Cobh and also a great result against Cork in the league last week. We are in good form, we hope to play to our best, and we look forward to the game."
Dundalk will see the FAI Cup as a major chance to get to Europe next season as they head to the Carlisle Grounds to face Bray Wanderers.
Having exited the Conference League last month, the Lilywhites face a battle for a spot via the league with Bohemians and St Patrick’s Athletic in the mix for third spot.
Fourth place usually results in a European finish given a top three side has won the Cup every year for more than the last decade.
However with Shamrock Rovers already out, thanks to Dundalk, and one of Derry and Pat’s set to depart this week when they meet on Sunday, the chances of a shock winner this year is more likely.
The Lilywhites have a real chance as a result, but Keith Ward and John Mountney are both ruled out.
Bray have struggled this year in truth and are looking for a strong finish for a play-off spot come the end of the league season.
Many expected they would at least secure that position comfortably. Ian Ryan’s outfit could prove tricky opposition however.
"It's a free hit for us," Ryan told the Wicklow People. "Dundalk will have the heat on them and be expected to win and the reality is that they should win.
"But we’ll go with a plan and as we’ve seen; when we’re up against it, and we have a good crowd behind us, we come out fighting. We’ll give a good account of ourselves and we believe we can go and do something.
"I played Dundalk with Wexford in this round last year and it went to extra-time so it’s not impossible. We’ll do our homework and be ready to go."
Drogheda United’s priority will be staying in the top flight with a massive game against Cork next week set to have a huge say.
They eliminated Sligo Rovers in the last round and will fancy their chances of getting to the latter stages ahead of a first ever meeting with Kerry FC in Mounthawk Park.
Drogheda are at full strength for the game and will resist the temptation to rest players, with manager Kevin Doherty telling the Drogheda Independent: "After this week's training I’ll be picking what I think is the strongest side to win, because it’s a really important game for us."
It’s likely to be a sold-out crowd for the biggest game in Kerry's short existence with dreams of a big scalp.
Bohemians will also be eyeing cup glory and a favourable draw at home to Munster Senior League outfit Rockmount has only added to the hopes.
The Gypsies have been improving in the league with Jonathan Afolabi on a superb run in front of goals as he closes in on top spot in the charts.
It will take an almighty shock for anything other than a home win, particularly as Bohs have a full squad to choose from, with Dean Williams returning to full training this week.
Manager Decland Devine said: "I am expecting us to be right at it from the very start. It is a game that we have prepared for really intensely all week.
"We spoke after last week’s game against St Pat’s that it was our sole focus all week - analysing our opposition as we always do and making sure our mental preparation is at the highest level.
"I don’t expect anything less from this group of players. There is serious competition for players, and we have a strong squad. I expect the players who take to the pitch to give everything of themselves."
Finn Harps also host a non-league side as Skerries Town make the long trip to Finn Park.
Harps are another second tier outfit looking for a play-off berth and a Cup run will do no harm to their year overall.
Dave Rogers’ side have already avoided one banana skin with a narrow 1-0 win over Kilbarrack in the last round while Skerries beat Portlaoise.
Two more games are schedule for Sunday – the meeting of St Patrick’s CY at home to Wexford and that mouthwatering clash of Derry City and St Patrick’s Athletic at the Ryan McBride Brandywell as another big gun will exit.
