Galway United have not enjoyed many days in the limelight.
Without a league title and just a single FAI Cup to their name, it has been a struggle more than a success in their history.
John Caulfield struggled to make the necessary impact in his first two seasons.
But having won promotion and established a place in the Premier Division, it may be time for a breakthrough.
Last year's fifth place finish was one of their greatest ever seasons, so it's fair to say their fans are hungry for more.
Victory in Dalymount Park last week raised the possibility of returning to Europe for the first time in over 30 years.
It's very early days, yet with some sides struggling, it is certainly a possibility this year.
It is an ideal fixture tonight when confidence is high as Shamrock Rovers visit Eamonn Deacy Park.
The venue will be sold out at kick-off and there is the possibility the visitors may not be firing on all cylinders given form so far.
United are the only unbeaten side left in the league with three wins and four draws so far.
However their record against the Tallaght outfit is truly woeful.
They have failed to win in the last 34 matches, undoubtedly the longest winless streak in the league on a head-to-head basis.
Captain Greg Cunningham knows it will not be an easy night: "Shamrock Rovers are a top quality side. They’ve proven that consistently over the last number of years domestically and most recently during their successful European campaign.
"They’ve got huge threats all over the pitch but we’ll be ready for Rovers. We’ve been working hard in the build up and we’re at home. We’re doing well and we just want to keep that momentum going for ourselves in front of what I’m sure will be a noisy and full crowd at Eamonn Deacy Park.
"It’s going to be a quality game to watch and be part of, and I feel it’s one the supporters are really looking forward to."
Stephen Bradley’s side have not really fallen behind, nor will they worried about their position in the table.
With a game in hand to Cork and having managed their early-season European schedule and a host of injuries, the situation remains in hand.
Last week’s draw with Derry, and a low goal total so far, are disappointments, however.
Bradley is aware his side are in for a war: "Galway, as a group, have been very impressive, not just this season, but last season too. When you look where they were last season, for large parts of it they were around the top.
"They’re up there again this season and it’s no fluke so we shouldn’t be surprised. John Caulfield knows the league inside out, and Galway are very good at what they do. We need to give them the full respect they deserve.
"Eamonn Deacy Park is a tough place to go, they’ve shown that already this season with their results. They’re more than capable of beating anyone. We need to make sure we’re at our levels and respect them."
Ed McGinty will sit out after a red card last week so Leon Pohls is restored to starting goalkeeper.
The other major game tonight is in Dublin as Stephen Kenny and Damien Duff face off.
St Patrick’s Athletic and Shelbourne overcame difficult situations to win in Waterford and Sligo respectively last week.
The teams also share some injury woes going into this game.
Aidan Keena missed out last week with a hamstring problem, there is no exact date for a return.
Duff went one better, refusing to list which players are out for Shels and the duration.
"For the foreseeable future, I’ll provide injury updates as needed. Right now, I don’t think there’s any update or need to share specific timelines. We’re working hard with the players who are injured to get them back."
Sean Gannon and Paddy Barrett were absent in Sligo so they could be without two key men for some time.
It's ominous that the Saints are top of the table without being overly impressive this year.
Kian Leavy returns to the Pat’s matchday squad for the first time in 2025 after injury.
The Saints boss is excited by the magnitude of the occasion: "St Patrick's Athletic vs Shelbourne is a real Dublin Derby, it is the derby for St Pat's and for Shels I feel.
"There's always an edge to it traditionally going back many years and certainly now. I came in at the end of last season and briefly had two experiences of this fixture. It's a sellout here, people in the club are inundated with ticket requests and that's a good thing. I'm sure everyone involved is looking forward to it, we're ready to go."
There is a match of enormous proportions at the bottom of the table as under-pressure Bohemians take on struggling Sligo Rovers.
The stats make grim reading for Bohs. One win in 14 league games at Dalymount Park.
No clean sheet since 19 April last year. If Sligo score tonight, they will go an entire calendar year.
Most importantly, it is now five losses from seven this year for Bohs overall in the Premier Division.
This has a real must-win feel for Alan Reynolds as his tenure at the Gypsies struggles to get off the ground.
He is all too aware of the scenario he is facing in the coming weeks: "The players and all of us on the management team obviously hear the frustrations but we don't need to hear them because we have the same frustrations ourselves.
"But we believe in ourselves. The players are frustrated with themselves, frustrated with the mistakes that have cost us this season but everything I have seen from them in training tells me that we are all in this together, and that we have a strong and united group who are determined to put things right.
"There is great quality in our squad and what we also have is a strong collective determination from everyone to put things right."
They couldn't ask for much more as the Bit O' Red are massively depleted with possibly up to eight players unavailable.
Bottom of the table after their own fifth loss of the campaign last week, John Russell is without four of his key men due to suspension in Jad Hakiki, Cian Kavanagh, Jake Doyle-Hayes and John Mahon.
Wilson Waweru and Stephen Mallon are out injured while Reece Hutchinson and Ollie Denham will be assessed in the lead up because of knocks.
Russell is trying to stay upbeat: "I've been delighted with the reaction and the character of the group when things have gone against us so far this season. We've been urging the players to realise the need to stay focused and keep doing the right things.
"Even though we’re down bodies for Friday we go to Dublin fully prepared and ready. It’s a great opportunity for others to step up and show their quality."
The new North Stand is open at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium for the first time as Derry City welcome Cork City.
🏟️ The North Stand will host fans for the first time on Friday night in our clash against Cork City
— Derry City FC (@derrycityfc) April 3, 2025
Tickets now on sale 🎟️🔗https://t.co/XUo5Lu8xrh pic.twitter.com/X5yddUisNf
The teams are seventh and eighth respectively and will feel they should have more points so far.
The final match of the night sees Drogheda United taking on Waterford.
United were unlucky not to win in Turner's Cross, while the Blues were left hurting from the late showing by St Patrick's Athletic.
Waterford have lost three on the bounce and will be keen to return to their excellent results earlier in the campaign.
Once again home tickets are sold out, a scenario looking likely for every match of the season now.
