The Sports Direct FAI Cup quarter-finals are upon us with three ties tonight and potential upsets littered around the country.
The nation's capital city is often the focus on a Friday but tonight’s hosts are in the towns of Ballybofey, Drogheda and Tralee, all underdogs in their matches.
The game of the round comes in Sullivan and Lambe Park as the season’s surprise package Drogheda United look to continue a bid to retain the Cup against Shamrock Rovers.
The Hoops have only been beaten by two Irish teams all season, Bohemians (three times) and Sligo Rovers, and have their sights firmly set on a double.
Their league crown should be wrapped up in the coming weeks as focus turns to this competition and their Conference League matches.
United had proven a difficult opponent for Stephen Bradley in previous times. He has overcome that issue and are unbeaten in 10 matches against them, with eight wins.
A double is one thing that is missing from a glorious period for the Hoops; this game represents a major step towards it.
Their last match was a 2-1 success at Tallaght Stadium over the Boynesiders in the league before a welcome break.
Bradley believes entertainment awaits viewers on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player this evening.
He said: "It will come down to moments in the game and who takes their moments. Drogheda will have theirs and we'll have ours, but it should be a good game with two teams going to win the game. I’ve said before, Kevin Doherty has done a fantastic job up there.
"We’ve seen it again this year, how they’ve responded after their European heartbreak has been brilliant. We saw it in our last game in the league, what Drogheda bring to the table, so it has the makings to be a really good game."
Elsewhere Kerry FC face the biggest match of their existence as Sligo come to Mounthawk Park.
Colin Healy’s side have overcome Athlone Town and Cobh Ramblers at the venue to reach this stage.
As they slowly build as a club, and now with a former international in charge, a sold out crowd will watch them look to make history in a first-ever quarter-final.
Healy said it will be an "interesting" encounter as 1,200 fans get set to pack into the small Tralee venue.
He said: "We just focus on ourselves, it's a game of football. It’s a big game, yes, there is no doubting that. But it’s a normal week for us. We prepare like we did last week. It’s new opposition, a small bit more focus goes into the analysis, so we will do that.
"But I will keep the lads focused ahead of tonight. Sligo have brought in some good players in the window; they’ve done a really good job. They have kicked on again, so they are in good form at the moment.
"But we are in good form as well. It will be an interesting game. Our players are looking forward to it and they will be ready for the challenge."
Sligo’s main objective in the season is to get out of the play-off position in the Premier Division.
Regardless of what happens in the FAI Cup, there is much to play for in the coming weeks.
Their scalp of Bohemians in the last round was a sign of their improvement over the course of the season and now comes a chance to reach a first semi-final since 2020.
Another side battling for survival are Cork City who make the long trip north to meet Finn Harps.
The Rebels remain alive in the battle at the bottom after some home victories in the league and also knocked out Waterford.
Harps have begun to pick up points from a poor start this year and have genuine play-off aspirations despite financial limitations.
New signing Hans Mpongo has been tremendous in front of goals and looks certain for a move to the Premier Division next campaign if Harps don’t go up.
City boss Ger Nash is seeking a first away victory of the year for the club in the league or FAI Cup.
He hopes his research on Kevin McHugh's men pays dividends.
Nash explained: "Harps are in good form first and foremost and they look dangerous going forward, they have some good players in their team and they are a threat.
"Add to that the fact that they'll be playing at home and we’ve got one of the longest away journeys in the country along with Derry, it’s got all the ingredients for a hugely tough game.
"We know it’s going to be a really difficult task but it’s one we go into with confidence and belief.
"I was fortunate enough to be able to get eyes on them which isn’t a luxury we always get because we often play on Friday nights. We’ll be able to use that night to good effect."
The remaining quarter-final sees Stephen Kenny's St Patrick's Athletic face out of form Galway United in Richmond Park on Sunday evening.
Kenny will do battle with old foe John Caulfield as he looks to rescue their domestic season through a competition he was won three times as a manager.
The match is also live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player.
There is also one Premier Division game tonight which may slip under the radar as second place Bohemians take Derry City, just a point back in third.
The title may seem destined for Tallaght but the race for Europe is firmly hotting up.
Should Shamrock Rovers win the Cup, second place in the league will bring a qualification place for the Europe League, worth in excess of a minimum €700,000 in prize money.
The stakes are high for the duo, having been knocked out of the Cup and struggling for consistency this year, knowing a European finish is a big consolation.
Watch the Sports Direct FAI Cup quarter-finals with RTÉ Sport. Drogheda United v Shamrock Rovers on Friday from 7pm and St Patrick's Athletic v Galway United on Sunday from 5.30pm. Both matches on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player
