The end of the international break brings a story of success for the League of Ireland with the biggest crowd of the century set to attend a game.
Shamrock Rovers vs Bohemians will create a modern-day attendance record. Whilst the RDS days for the Hoops had heady numbers, it is difficult to find when exactly there was last a five-figure crowd later in the 90s.
The RTÉ cameras will be present for a moment that is a vision for the future of the game, if trends continue.
That may be dependent on the FAI and state support. As it stands, only Tallaght Stadium can facilitate such a crowd and that will not change any time soon. After a bleak window it is an uncertain period for Irish football.
Damien Duff, one of the most decorated players ever to wear the green shirt, summed up his feelings on where the game sits now.
The Shelbourne boss said: "It is brilliant to be back in action this weekend. The last two weeks has highlighted that the leading light of Irish football, is not the national team but the league itself.
"It is bigger, better, more exciting and more important. Every true Irish football fan has been waiting for this Friday, nothing else."
The bigger picture weighs heavily but on matchday comes a lot more focus on how the Premier Division itself is evolving.
The Dublin derby will be first Alan Reynolds' first match in charge of Bohs.
The Gyspies have made all the right moves off-the-pitch and come close to success on it.
However, lost Cup finals and memories of European nights will not suffice. Reynolds has a big task to reshape the squad and get Bohs competing near the head of the table.
The champions secured a massive win in Galway when it looked like they were heading for a draw. History shows they may now reel off victories to race up the table.
Elsewhere, Shels will look to maintain their advantage at the summit against a struggling Dundalk side.
The Lilywhites haven’t scored since their match against the Hoops back on the opening day of the season. With three games to come in seven days, Stephen O’Donnell knows he has to turn the tide, particularly with a Louth derby coming on Monday.
Derry City are seeking to bounce back from defeat when they welcome Galway to the Brandywell.
City were near-flawless before they lost to Bohs and know they can’t afford to drop points in matches they are expected to win.
Sligo Rovers find themselves in third spot after a surprisingly strong start as they travel to Waterford.
The Blues must cope without assistant manager Reynolds now he has departed for Dalymount.
Lastly, comes another side looking to find their feet, St Patrick’s Athletic.
Four defeats in six has taken away the good vibes from their FAI Cup success last November.
Drogheda United are their opponents this week, with Kevin Doherty hoping for better luck and finishing compared to their last outing in Sligo.
Shamrock Rovers v Bohemians, Tallaght Stadium, 7.45pm
Stephen Bradley admitted the international break came at a good time for his squad with a few of his squad recovering from injury.
Gary O'Neill is back for this game. Neil Farrugia, Seán Kavanagh and Aaron McEneff remain out along with Jack Byrne.
Markus Poom picked up knock whilst playing for Estonia.
The occasion will not have an impact on the players, according to the Hoops boss.
"The good thing is our players have built up a really good understanding of how to play big games in front of big crowds. That can only help you as a player, sharpen your focus and attention which is a good thing. It can give you that nervous energy which is also a good thing.
"It’s a proud moment for everyone involved with this club, we’ll have Tallaght Stadium sold out for this game, when you think back to all the fights and struggles throughout the years and now you look to this game, so many people connected to this club need to take credit for that. They should watch tonight and be extremely proud of what they helped build and achieve."
Alan Reynolds' reign at Bohemians begins away to their bitterest rivals, the champions Shamrock Rovers in front of a sellout crowd in Tallaght Stadium
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Bradley is wary of Bohs even without the added effect of Reynolds being in the dugout.
"They did well in their last match by winning against Derry, what hasn’t changed is they have some very good players in the attacking part of the pitch. Whether it’s Keith Long, Declan Devine or Alan Reynolds, that hasn’t changed.
"We’ll be set up and ready to respect what Bohs bring, but our aim as always will be to impose ourselves on the game as soon as possible. That won’t change tomorrow regardless of who their manager is."
Reynolds, meanwhile, is not fearing such a difficult first game.
He added: "When you talk about football, Dublin derbies are what you call a 'real game’. In this league, they are the games you want to be involved in, so I am really looking forward to it.
"There will be a massive crowd but we will have a big crowd behind us too. We will need them to stick with us as I have no doubt they will."
Shelbourne v Dundalk, Tolka Park, 7.45pm
Damien Duff has warned his team not to "smell" themselves in their position at the head of the table as the side at the other end visit Tolka Park.
Five wins and a draw has made it a special time to be a Shels fan.
Three Dublin rivals have been defeated along the way.
Duff said: "The message to the players is stay grounded, humble and keep working hard, minute we come off who we are and let ourselves get carried away, in any sport that's when you’re in trouble.
"The lads know, they don’t need me to tell them, if you smell yourself after a few games you can fall. What we need to do is just continue to be true to who we are, keep working hard, we’ll be on the right path.
"It’s a tough game and we’re under no illusions, it’s a massive task ahead of us. Our players watched them this morning and are also aware of the quality they have.
"They probably are not too happy with their start, Stevie O’Donnell will be disappointed, but they have quality everywhere, massive players in their team, brilliant manager and staff who’ve won more in the league than I’ve won.
"Results can be a bit misleading, they have come out on the wrong side of tight games, but played well, it’s a fine line in football, we’ve come out on the right side of tight games.
"There’s not much in it and it’s as tough a game as we can play in this league, as we’ve faced them before we know how good they are. Forget the table, I’m not looking at where we are or where they are because it won’t make much difference Friday night."
John Martin is fit and available for selection. Shane Griffin will return next week.
The 0-0 draw against Waterford was a step forward for Dundalk in terms of performance.
Ending a run of five games without a goal would be another tonight.
It's a crucial period, one that O'Donnell is not shying away from.
The Dundalk boss admitted: "It's a big game. Shelbourne have started the season really well and they are top of the league on merit. They play to a certain structure, they’re well organised and they’re well coached but we’ve had a good record against them over the last couple of years.
"We’re not happy with our league position and we’re not happy with our results thus far. The league table speaks for itself, but I do have a big belief in the group of players we have and I think the last couple of league performances have been a lot better and we need to build on that.
"A win’s not going to fall into your lap in this league. You need to earn your win and play with aggression and decisiveness on both sides of the ball and we’re fully aware of that. We know what the job entails.
"Ultimately, we’re Dundalk Football Club, we should be winning games, and we’re looking to start that tomorrow night. We’ve all embraced the challenge of where we’re at and we’re looking forward to going up the league table."
Derry City v Galway United, Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, 7,45pm
Derry City look to continue a 100% record at home so far when Galway United visit.
An individual error and poor defending from a setpiece cost City dearly in Dalymount Park last time out.
Assistant boss Paul Hegarty felt that the result was very harsh on the visitors
"I actually felt we had played at least as well as we did in other games this season so it was disappointing to come away from Bohemians with nothing," he said.
"We gave away two really bad goals, which was very unlike us, and then we were just missing a bit of composure in the final third."
Hegarty filled the number two role under Ollie Horgan for many seasons and will come up against his former colleague.
John Caulfield leads the coaching team at United, they have proven a tough side to crack for many so far.
Hegarty stated: "I have no doubt they'll come here full of confidence. They have two top men on the touchline and of course they’ll have their homework done.
"We’ve spent a lot of time watching their games over the past week and to be fair to them, they’ve been worth more points than they’ve got as well.
"They’re a very good side and will cause teams plenty of problems in this league."
Regardless, Hegarty is very confident his side can do the job.
"Do I expect us to win the game? Yes I do. It’s a home game for us and I’m sure they’ll feel the same way when they play us down there.
"I’m on record as saying I believe we have the best squad in the league at this club.
"It’s no secret we’ve had a few injury concerns in recent weeks and we’ll likely be without one or two again this weekend, but by the same token we were able to get minutes into a couple of the boys at Dalymount too."
Drogheda United v St Patrick's Athletic, Weavers Park, 7.45pm
St Patrick's Athletic spent last week in America as part of their new US investment.
A different setting may have been welcome and the Saints definitely had the best friendly opposition in the league during the international window in the shape of Minnesota United.
The 2-1 loss to Shelbourne was a hard one to finish on for Pat’s.
Now 10 points off the top with just six games played, it’s essential Pat’s stop the rot. This is a crucial fixture even in March.
Four defeats in five has put some focus on Jon Daly, as is the modern way in football.
But with a large squad, Daly knows he can’t afford to keep on the track they are going.
Daly said: "We are looking forward to the game. It will be difficult, they are a good side.
"Similar to ourselves, they'll probably feel like they should have more points on the board with the performances.
"We're confident that we've analysed all of our games, we've looked back and we feel we should be further up the table but ultimately we're not.
"We'll stay focused and continue to work hard and we know that a win or two will get us right back up there (in the table)
"It's important to focus on ourselves and we need to give everything on Friday to get three points."
United had the best of the chances in their last game in Sligo and looked the better side. But poor finishing proved costly.
United boss Kevin Doherty told the Drogheda Independent: "Of course we'd like to have more points, but I’m happy with where we are going and how and we are developing.
"It might seem silly to say it because we lost our last league game 3-1, but I do think we’re getting better in every game, and we will get better and better, the more games we play.
"We know what cost us in Sligo, but we've been working on it (finishing) and hopefully that will come into play on Friday."
Matthew O’Brien is the only injury doubt for Drogheda.
Waterford FC v Sligo Rovers, RSC, 7.45pm
This game brings two of the in-form strikers in the league to battle.
Waterford FC's recruitment of Padraig Amond has proven a masterstroke. Four goals has helped them to eight points and a place in the top four.
Sligo Rovers have been even better, with nine points on the board and a place higher.
New Zealand international Max Mata has netted four times, including two wonderful finishes last time out against Drogheda.
Mata’s time with the club will end in mid-May so they are trying to get as many goals out of the striker as they can.
He should be available for tonight’s game after travelling back from an international game in Cairo with Tunisia on Tuesday.
Amond will come up against his previous League of Ireland side, having transferred away from The Showgrounds 14 years ago.
Harvey Macadam and Barry Baggley are both doubts for the game for the home side.
Darragh Leahy returns from suspension, while Darragh Power is fit for selection after missing the game in Dundalk before the international break due to a hamstring issue.
The Bit O'Red will again be without John Mahon due to a long-term foot problem.
JR Wilson will be assessed on the day having picked up a hamstring strain, but is doubtful to recover in time.
"Waterford have had a good start to the season," Sligo boss John Russell said.
"They have some really good players so we know it will be a tough test on Friday night.
"We come into the game looking to build on our performances so far. We have a new group so it’s important we continue to improve our connections on the pitch while still picking up points."
It would be a major shock if either of these sides maintained their top-four spot come the end of the campaign.
However a victory for either would continue their excellent early-season form.
Watch Shamrock Rovers v Bohemians in the League of Ireland on Friday from 7.35pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app
