The wait is over, the talking is done and excitement is abound ahead of the start of the League of Ireland Men's Premier and First Divisions.
The five matches in the top flight will bring the biggest attendance for an opening night in memory with sold out signs set to appear in all games.
The supporters of Galway United and Waterford FC welcome Premier football back to their county with home games, while the champions flag will once again be risen in Tallaght Stadium.
Derry City begin their attempt at overhauling the hopes at the Ryan McBride Brandywell and the 124th consecutive season of Bohemians at Dalymount Park will also begin.
Shamrock Rovers v Dundalk, Tallaght Stadium, 7.45pm
Even before the start of the season there is an air of confidence around the dominant Shamrock Rovers.
It doesn't bode well for the rest of the league
Hoops boss Stephen Bradley said: "I see a real eagerness in the group this year. I think this time last year I sensed a pressure; I could feel it within the group, I could see tell-tale signs it was there. I don't get that feeling at all this year which is really nice to see.
"We’re so eager to be really successful this year and that’s the aim. We’re going to fight every day to make that happen.
"But I get a nice feeling off the group, regardless of the result against Dundalk, that they’re mentally in a better place than this time last year, they’re a lot freer in their head which is good."
Jack Byrne, Graham Burke, Aaron McEneff and Johnny Kenny remain out but are set to return within the next two weeks. Richie Towell is a doubt.
Dundalk have 11 new signings within their group with manager Stephen O'Donnell claiming it's a good match for his new recruits to adapt to life in the League of Ireland.
Club captain John Mountney resumed training on Thursday, meaning that O'Donnell has a fully fit squad at his disposal.
O'Donnell feels a new-look Dundalk can compete well in the league: "We're happy with our recruitment and we’re excited about the group that we have. There is a freshness about us that I don’t think was there over the last two seasons.
"That brings a bit of the unknown but all we can do is be attentive to everything that we do in our detail and try and gel as quickly as we can. The way to do that is by training well and creating a dynamic and togetherness in the squad.
"I was at the President’s Cup final last week and Shamrock Rovers looked strong and deserved to win. They have a plethora of options so we’re well aware of the task at hand but we’re looking forward to it. It’s live on national TV, there’ll be a great crowd, a new stand opening, and a great arena for players to show what they’re about."
Derry City v Drogheda United, Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, 7.45pm
Drogheda have proven very tough opponents for Derry City in the last two seasons so this fixture is a fascinating open game.
Patrick Hoban also brings a great record against United as he makes his Derry debut.
With just the two new signings City have not made many headlines over the winter, except for the capture of Hoban and Daniel Kelly.
The Candystripes will once again be expected to challenge for honours this season as the main rival to Shamrock Rovers.
A slow start has not helped City in recent years.
Manager Ruaidhri Higgins said: "It’s something we’ve touched on to be honest. Our away record two years in a row has been the best in the league, however early in the season last year we dropped too many points at home.
"Things definitely improved from the summer onwards but if you’re realistic about doing anything, then you have to be dominant at home and put teams away here.
"It won’t be easy though. I think this year more than any you can see that the two newly-promoted teams are really good sides as well, so it will be an extremely competitive league"
Asked about Friday night’s challenge, he said he was well aware of how difficult a task it will be.
"Under Kevin Doherty, Drogheda have been getting better and better in recent seasons.
"They’ve been taken over now and probably have a bit more money to spend than what they had previously. They’ve recruited well, which they’ve always done to be fair. They’ve always been very shrewd with their recruitment.
"They’ve certainly caused us problems in the past. We took seven points from 12 against them last year and the year before might’ve been less than that.
"They’re a tough nut to crack and always well set up, particularly against the top end teams, however we’re at home and we have to be right at it from the start.
Colm Whelan remains out while Sadou Diallo is unavailable until April due to an injury picked up in pre-season.
Ciaron Harkin will be slowly integrated back into first-team action from the substitutes bench over the next few weeks.
Drogheda's Luke Heeney will miss the trip to the Brandywell through suspension following his red card against Shelbourne on the final day of the 2023 season.
Goalkeeper Jethren Barr is also doubtful, having not featured in pre-season due to injury.
Galway United v St Patrick's Athletic, Eamonn Deacy Park, 7.45pm
It has been a long wait for Galway United and John Caulfield to be back in the big time and Eamonn Deacy Park is expected be packed for the visit of the FAI Cup holders.
The President's Cup performance will certainly have focused minds and reminded Jon Daly he has to mould a lot of new signings into a team.
Looking ahead oto the game, he said: "Galway are a decent side, they and Waterford coming up to the Premier Division are two good sides.
"I've watched Galway a couple of times in pre-season and I think it will be a tough game for us.
"They are a physical side, they are a very well organised team who work really hard.
"There is going to be a huge home crowd right behind them too for their first game back in the Premier in a few years, and we've got our sold-out away end too, everyone will be well up for it.
"It's important that we don't get caught up in all of that and focus on trying to win the game."
It's the start of a ne era for Galway as they make it back to the big league.
Caulfield stated: "Having the Premier Division opening game first, at home — it doesn’t get bigger than that.
"We want to sell out Eamonn Deacy Park and create an electric atmosphere for the fans"
"Jon Daly has come in and done a fantastic job.
"They won the cup in a really impressive fashion and secured a European spot. We can see that they have recruited well in the off-season too"
Waterford FC v Shelbourne, RSC, 7.45pm
This fixture was a FAI Cup semi-final 18 months ago as both sides were in a growth stage.
Shelbourne emerged victorious on the day and have made great strides since.
The Blues return to the big time under Keith Long knowing every game will be tough as a newly-promoted team.
Long stated: "We're really excited for the league kicking off on Friday with the club back in the Premier Division. It’s going to be a big challenge but it’s great to be starting the season playing in front of a capacity crowd at the RSC on Friday night.
"Shels is a tough game to start but it’ll be a great test against a top four side; they’re a well-organised team and have quality players.
"Our supporters have been great. We want to get them excited about coming to the RSC and we want to give them something to shout about in terms of performance. We know if they see us giving everything for the jersey, they’ll be with us all the way."
Cameron Cresswell and Christie Pattisson are doubts for the Blues.
Damien Duff is being bullish in assessing his squad.
"Is it the strongest? That's there for everyone to see, it’s the best squad I’ve had at Shels, probably the best squad we’ve had as a club in 15+ years, they are a great group, brilliant mentality, individually we have game changers.
"We all feel we’re in a really strong position going into the new season, it’s all well having a good squad the challenge then is finding your best XI and picking up results week in, week out."
Bohemians v Sligo Rovers, Dalymount Park, 7.45pm
These two sides underperformed after bright openings in 2023 and needed some soul-searching in the off-season as a result.
Bohs certainly had good points last year and reached the FAI Cup final.
However failing away in the league and a flat performance at the Aviva Stadium left a lot frustrated in north Dublin.
Speaking ahead of this opening matches, Gypsies manager Declan Devine said: Undeniably we had a painful off-season, it needed a lot of reflection and review.
"The disappointments of how it ended will certainly give us additional motivation and hunger in terms of achieving our goals and success in the coming campaign.
"I am really happy with the players we have brought in so far. We have brought in a good mix of quality - players with experience and knowledge of the league as well as players who were playing at a high level overseas."
Rob Cornwall will be back in familiar surroundings for Bohs and three Estonian recruits could also start in the game.
In the away dugout is a new look Sligo Rovers side who have faced a reduced budget due to their failures last season.
The Bit O' Red were aiming to qualify for Europe and just kept their Premier Division status in the end.
Manager John Russell has put together a youthful side with fewer foreign recruits this time.
However one of their most successful players of recent times, Max Mata, is back in Sligo once again following a loan move yesterday.
Russell said: "We're looking forward to getting started, we have a lot of new players in and I’m happy with where we are in terms of how they have integrated as a group.
"It is a real boost to get Max back to the club. We know there is a big crowd travelling up which is great to see, and we’re excited to get going."
Sligo will be without Mata as they await a work permit while talisman John Mahon will miss a large part of the season after suffering an Achilles injury in the first week of pre-season.
James McManus (foot) and Keith Buckley (knee) remain out for Bohs at a sold out Dalymount.
