Defending champions Shamrock Rovers get their Premier Division season underway tonight against one of the sides expected to offer a stern challenge this year in Shelbourne.
The Hoops had to sit out last week due to an unplayable Tallaght Stadium pitch, so their first outing will be against Joey O'Brien's outfit in a sold out Tolka Park.
The Reds have had the luxury of a game under their belts, being held to a draw in Waterford, and it sets up tonight's game nicely.
Shels have shown considerable ambition in their off-season recruitment, bringing in players from abroad and proven stars like Will Jarvis.
As the only side to lift the league trophy this decade outside of the Hoops, it could be argued Shels are best placed to offer the sternest challenge to Stephen Bradley's side.
Much will be learned in tonight's 90 minutes.
Elsewhere Derry City continue their residency-like run at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium as Dundalk make their Premier Division return.
The Lilywhites were due back in the big time last week, only for the weather in Tallaght work against them, so they sat on their hands.
Dundalk boss Kilduff said: "We are excited to test ourselves on Friday night against Derry City. They are obviously a team that we have a lot of respect for. We see the investment made, with James McClean and other top players arriving, and it is a real statement of intent. But we don't fear any team in this division and we are going to back ourselves as we always do.
"Derry got off to a good start with three points at home to Sligo Rovers while we were a bit deflated following the postponement of our match with Shamrock Rovers. Anticipation is building now and we want to make a good account of ourselves. The stage is set for a great game. We have trained and prepared well and we are hopeful that it will all come together. The staff and players are ready to go and we are looking forward to kickstarting our season on Friday night."
City are playing their first four league matches at home and began with a win over Sligo Rovers last week.
It was far from convincing but three points was all that mattered on the night.
Two sides looking for their first win meet at Richmond Park as St Patrick's Athletic host Galway United.
Stephen Kenny and John Caulfield have had many epic battles over the years and face off once again.
Both sides failed to score last week, with Galway fluffing many opportunities in particular. Kenny is likely to deploy different tactics back on home surroundings as they look to start off the Inchicore year well.
The final game of the night see Drogheda United welcome Waterford FC to County Louth.
United, like Derry, claim three points in the dying seconds last week, and face the new-look Waterford side seeking their first victory under new boss Jon Daly.
Both sides will be somewhat pleased going into tonight's clash with unbeaten starts to the year behind them.
United were far from their best on a difficult night in Galway last week.
But newest signing Jago Godden came off the bench to grab a late winner.
Edwin Agbaje, Leo Burney, Ethan O'Brien and Brandon Kavanagh all made their first starts for the club on a night Ryan Brennan hit 250 appearances for the Boynesiders.
Waterford started seven new faces in the draw with Shels, a sign of the turnover in their squad under new boss Daly.
Riding their luck to keep the Reds just a goal ahead, Tommy Lonergan netted in the second half to earn a point.
Daly have given great credit to Drogheda in advance of the game: "Drogheda are a top side. They had a fantastic result last weekend out in Galway which is a difficult place to go, so I'm sure they'll be full of confidence on Friday & they'll be going into the game feeling they can get a result so it's up to us to make sure we learn from last Friday.
"We've done our homework on Drogheda and we've done on the training ground the work in areas we feel we can exploit them and hurt them, but we need to be mindful of what they do & where they can hurt us. It'll be a tough game, but one we have to feel like we can go and get something from."
United have no injury concerns to report, with Waterford hopeful of having Arlo Doherty and Dean McMenamy involved in the match day squad. Finlay Armstrong remains sidelined through injury
