The 37th meeting of Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers in the Sports Direct FAI Cup tonight kicks off some mammoth second-round matches over the weekend.
With 32 balls in the cup, the first two out brought together two great rivals and undoubtedly the best of the 16 ties.
Rather than just one all-Premier Division clash, the third pairing was the all-Louth derby of Drogheda United and Dundalk.
Before the draw was done, Derry City and St Patrick's Athletic were matched for the second year on the spin in what proved a remarkable outcome overall.
The teams met in a crucial league game last week that went the way of the Lilywhites and both will be prioritising the Premier Division for the remainder of the year.
But additional momentum and revenge is certainly at play for the clash in Weavers Park.
Shelbourne face Bray Wanderers in the Carlisle Grounds on Sunday, far from a gimme for the league leaders on the back on their European game last night.
They also met in the 2022 competition when Damien Duff's side reached the final.
There will be a maximum of seven top-flight clubs left in the Cup at the last-16 stage.
Holders Pat’s face that tricky test against the Candystripes on Sunday as well with just two games on Saturday.
At least three non-league side will progress to the next round.
Carrigaline United host Wilton United in all-Cork affair, while another side from the Rebel County, Midleton FC, face Limerick’s Pike Rovers.
Leeds AFC are also seeking to keep up the high number of Cork sides remaining in the competition when they travel to take on Ballyfermot in Dublin.
Ringmahon Rangers, most-known currently for helping to develop Caoimhin Kelleher’s career, face an away tie at Athlone Town to continue the Cork theme.
High-flying Galway United and Waterford FC face home ties against Longford Town and Donegal’s Cockhill Celtic respectively.
Both will fancy a lengthy run in the FAI Cup this year to add to their league form.
Sligo Rovers will be aiming to progress through a round for the first time since 2020 when they take on Cobh Wanderers on Sunday as well.
But tonight’s focus is on two big ties in particular, firstly the Dublin derby.
Shamrock Rovers put a different look on their season with victory in the Champions League tie last Tuesday and a lengthy European campaign now looks likely.
However their recent disappointments in the competition they have won 25 times will be in mind tonight.
Stephen Bradley would love to get back to the Aviva Stadium after seeing several rivals get there in the last three years.
For Bohs, any win at all will do.
It's just one victory in 11 in the league after Sligo Rovers left Dalymount with all three points last week.
Dawson Devoy could make his first appearance since re-signing with the Gypsies earlier in the week.
Alan Reynolds is trying to put his stamp on the club with a lot of movement in his squad this month with Devoy one of six signings and as many departing.
Reynolds said: "We have made big changes which will make us a much stronger team.
"We were delighted to have been able to get a player like Dawson into the club this week. He is a fantastic player. He is exactly the kind of player needed to drive this club forward.
"This is a one-off cup game in our home, so we need everyone on the pitch, everyone in the dugout and everyone in the stands pulling in the same direction.
"In games like this, that can count for a lot. It's a massive cup tie against our rivals so we all want the place rocking and for our players to be encouraged to win every tackle and to win every ball.
"We’ve seen a lot of Rovers and we know how good a team they are and how tough a game it will be but we have to focus on ourselves and what all of us can do."
Further north Weavers Park will host the 13th Louth derby in the FAI Cup, just seven days on from the teams meeting in the league.
Dundalk will be favourites after their 4-2 success last week.
Jon Daly is taking nothing for granted, however, as he looks to keep hold of the trophy, albeit at a new home.
He said: "We'd like to go as far as we can in the Cup obviously. I’m the current holder of the FAI Cup in terms of the manager and I would like to go and retain it and I would like to go and win it at a different club.
"I know that’s very, very difficult to do and going away from home to your local rivals in the first round is very tough.
"Last week’s game will have no kind of impact or any sway on what happens on Friday night. It’s going to be a totally different game and it’ll bring its own problems.
"They’re going to outnumber us fans-wise so it’s going to be another intense atmosphere that we’re going to have to deal with and a lot of our new players will be experiencing that for the first time."
Sports Direct FAI Cup second round fixtures:
Tonight: (Kick-off 7.45pm unless stated)
Athlone Town v Ringmahon Rangers, Athlone Town Stadium
Bohemians v Shamrock Rovers, Dalymount Park
Carrigaline United v Wilton United, Ballea Park
Cobh Ramblers v Kerry, St Colman's Park
Drogheda United v Dundalk, Weavers Park
Galway United v Longford Town, Eamonn Deacy Park
Treaty United v Kilbarrack United, Markets Field
Waterford v Cockhill Celtic, Regional Sports Centre
Saturday, 20 July
Pike Rovers v Midleton Town, Pike Rovers Complex – 3pm
Cork City v Finn Harps, Turner's Cross – 5pm
Sunday, 21 July
Ballyfermot United v Leeds, Ballyfermot Coldcut – 12pm
Gorey Rangers v UCD, Altura Credit Union Park – 2pm
Wayside Celtic v Wexford, Jackson Park – 3pm
Bray Wanderers v Shelbourne, Carlisle Grounds – 3pm
Derry City v St. Patrick’s Athletic, The Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium - 6pm
Sligo Rovers v Cobh Wanderers, The Showgrounds – 6pm
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