The international window is over as Premier Division football returns with five fascinating fixtures tonight.
It was across the water where Harry Redknapp once cried foul of the break from league football, describing it was a "dead fortnight" and how he counted the days for regular action to return.
The Republic of Ireland gave us something to cheer about, for once, but the return of the Premier Division is very welcome given it halted at such an interesting time.
The top half of the division all hold between nine and 11 points, with Drogheda United on top as it stands.
Shamrock Rovers and Derry City are a further two back on seven points in sixth and seventh and they clash in Tallaght.
Cork City are in the bottom three but will be happy with their progress far.
Perhaps the two sides wanting a lot more are Bohemians and Sligo Rovers.
So as the league resumes, there is so much to play for.
The meeting of the Hoops and Derry feels like an important one with both having signed off on a positive note.
Bohs welcome the only unbeaten side in the league, Galway United, to Dalymount Park.
The Tribesmen could go top of the table if results fall their way, with a question over whether the struggling Gypsies can stand up to what United are bringing to the party each week.
Champions Shels will certainly be looking for a response as they visit The Showgrounds.
Drogheda United travel to Cork, while St Patrick's Athletic also go south to the RSC to face Waterford.
Sligo Rovers v Shelbourne, The Showgrounds, 7.45pm
Damien Duff is excited to get back to action tonight and said he is happy with the Shelbourne displays on the whole so far.
As they travel to the north-west, Duff has been looking at the positives of their year so far.
He said: "The lads have had a good two weeks of training. We're all bitterly disappointed to come away with just one point from the two games at home recently. The only thing I'm really disappointed with is the 45 minutes against Cork and a few individual mistakes.
"Outside of that, I’m happy with the performances. It’s fine lines and small margins in this league, when we looked back over the games there was lots of good stuff, we’re playing well but not picking up points. Last year, we didn’t play as well but still got results early in the year, we’ve been on the wrong side of tight games in recent weeks, that’s something we’re keen to put right."
Tyreke Wilson, Sam Bone, and Daniel Kelly remain out while Duff also has some unnamed doubts for the game.
The Bit O' Red have been hit with a major setback going into this game with key midfielder Jake Doyle-Hayes receiving a three-match ban for a red card received in the aftermath of their loss to Derry City.
Doyle-Hayes arrived from Hibs and has shown he will be a quality addition to the league early on.
He must now sit out the next fortnight because of that dismissal.
Stephen Mallon has also been added to the injury-list once more.
Sligo boss John Russell said: "This is going to be a big test for us as any game against the reigning champions would be.
"They have added in terms of bodies in the winter and they've added real quality whilst keeping hold of their big-game players. Not many clubs have the privilege of being able to do that.
"They will have gathered a lot of experience having won the league last year and you have to expect that they'll come to Sligo looking to win the game.
"We've enjoyed the break and it's given us time to reflect whilst also working on many aspects of our game. The players are extremely focused ahead of this one and they're all looking forward to what is a big game for us.
"We must now perform to our strengths. The players have all trained well and you can really see the connections being forged between them and that's really pleasing."
Shamrock Rovers v Derry City, Tallaght Stadium, 8pm
Given it was such a long year for Shamrock Rovers that also brought an early start to 2025, the international window was welcome for Stephen Bradley to allow his players a rest.
Back-to-back victories have shot them up the table as Derry City come to Tallaght Stadium tonight.
Tiernan Lynch did not enjoy his meeting with Bradley last year.
The Hoops hammered Larne 4-1 in the UEFA Conference League - a night which demonstrated the difference between the leagues north and south.
Lynch has been taken by the experience of managing in the Republic of Ireland and he brings his side to Dublin tonight with a big crowd awaiting.
Bradley is looking forward to coming up against a new-look Derry.
"They definitely have different idea," he said.
"I think you can see they're trying to do different things. That’s normal when you have a change in management, they bring their own ideas in how they want to play. They’ve also invested heavily in their squad so you can see what they’re trying to do. There’s definitely a big change to when Ruaidhrí was there to now.
"I know people will have looked at their results early on, but I've watched all their games and in many of those games they’ve had a lot of opportunities to go ahead and maybe win games. Those moments change games. Regardless of the changes they’ve made, when you look at their attacking players on the pitch, Derry are a really good team going forward. So, we need to make sure we respect that and are ready for it."
The break has also helped their injury list.
Lee Grace is back in training. Danny Mandriou and Darragh Nugent are nearing a return but this game will come too soon. All other players are fit.
Bohemians v Galway United, Dalymount Park, 7.45pm
It is a similar plea for patience from Alan Reynolds as Bohemians go in search of a third win of the year.
It must be remembered Bohs have beaten Shamrock Rovers and Waterford FC so far.
However, ambitions are high at Dalymount Park. They don't want a continuation of the desperate home form which has left Reynolds under pressure.
Speaking ahead of this game, the Bohs boss said: "Fans are understandably frustrated and our players are too. They are working extremely hard. We've made the most of the international break, everyone pushed each other really hard in training and it was a chance to work on things that haven’t been going right for us.
"We know that tonight is going to be a tough game, Galway are unbeaten for a reason. Any team managed by John Caulfield and Ollie Horgan is always well organised and hard to beat. They’re big and strong, so we have to rise to that, show what we are really capable of and start the game as we mean to go on.
"Our form hasn’t been what we want it to be so we know that we have a job to do to win back the trust of our supporters. Incredibly, seven games into the season, it’s our first Friday night game of the year at Dalymount Park so there is no better place for us to get back to winning ways.
"We know we have good players, they’ve shown in glimpses what they are capable of, the challenge now is to dig deep and make sure all the hard work they have been putting in during training shows when we take to the pitch."
Kian Best (Achilles) is out, while captain Keith Buckley (hip), Alex Lacey (calf) and Connor Parsons (thigh) are doubts.
United are riding high after the 1-0 success over Waterford FC.
Cian Byrne misses out against his parent club Bohs.
United boss John Caulfield told the Galway Advertiser: "We were quite happy with the break. We had a few days off. It gave us a chance.
"We had a few lads away for the international break. It gave time for lads with knocks. It gave Brendan Clarke an extra week.
"He's back in action which is good. Ed McCarthy is back in. There are 12 games between now and the end of May. It’s going to be very hectic."
Waterford FC v St Patrick's Athletic, RSC, 7.45pm
Waterford FC only had six draws in the 2024 season and they're adding to the trend this campaign.
The Blues have won and lost three in their six games, a position which is perfectly acceptable averaging two points a match.
Keith Long will still be keen to make his side harder to beat given they were turned over easily by Bohemians in their last game at the RSC, as well as going down to Galway United last time out.
The Blues will be without the services of Andy Boyle due to a hamstring injury.
Ben McCormack and Trae Coyle returned to the squad against Galway so it's a strong squad for Keith Long.
Long said: "We're excited for tonight's match against St Pat's. It’s a big game where we want to do well.
"We want to perform well and get back to being difficult to play against and beat. We’re going to have to be at it against a good side with good players."
Jamie Lennon and Ryan McLaughlin both return to the matchday squad after injury.
Midfielder Romal Palmer is out long-term with a hamstrong problem.
Kian Leavy is progressing well in his recovery from an ankle operation but there is no date for his return.
Saints defender Tom Grivosti said: "Waterford have started the season well and the RSC is always a tough place to go, we had a good result ourselves before the break (against Bohemians) so we're raring to get back at it and try to continue our positive run and back up our result against Bohemians in Waterford tonight.
"We've got some good work in during the break so we're ready to go. We've had a good feel for the season over the first six games, we didn't start how we wanted in the first two games but we've had a couple of good results of late and we're hoping that we can build on that."
Cork City v Drogheda United, Turner's Cross, 7.45pm
Drogheda United suffered a first defeat of the campaign against Shamrock Rovers last time out.
Just how they respond to a first major setback will be interesting to see against a Cork City itching to get back home and put more points on the board.
Tim Clancy welcomes back rising star Cathal O'Sullivan after the injury picked up against Galway United on the opening night.
It has been the new faces which have also delighted the Cork boss.
Speaking ahead of this clash, Clancy said: "The really, really pleasing part for us so far is I think the new signings have settled in very quickly and are performing at a very high level. TT (Tein Troost) in goal has been excellent. Two centre-backs, Freddie (Anderson) and Milan (Mbeng), have been very good.
"Benny Couto has been a revelation at left-back and you look at the lads in the middle of the pitch where Rio (Shipston) and Kitt (Nelson) have done very well. Alex Nolan has been superb as well."
Clancy and Doherty were once manager and assistant at United.
They remain in touch nearly four years on from parting.
Doherty revealed to The Sun: "We'd a great time and, look, I still talk to him all the time.
"We probably have an idea what each other is thinking but with the two-week break as well, obviously he knows we’ve had a good few players out, I know that he’s had a good few players out.
"We both know how each other works but most of it is down to players anyway so we'll see on Friday."
