Shamrock Rovers will hope it is third time lucky tonight in beginning their SSE Men's Airtricity Premier Division season when St Patrick’s Athletic visit Tallaght Stadium.
After games with Dundalk and Shelbourne were washed out, the Hoops are itching for action as Stephen Kenny’s men make their shortest journey of the campaign.
Pat’s also sat out last week because of the weather, and after a dull 0-0 against Bohemians on the opening weekend, it will be fascinating to see how the fare against the champions.
Hoops boss Stephen Bradley spoke extensively to RTÉ Sport on Thursday, discussing the visit of the Saints and Jake Mulraney being likely to make his league debut against the side he departed in the off-season.
Stephen Kenny, meanwhile, also feels his players are keen to get onto the pitch.
"Last week was due to be our first home game of the season, and then to be called off, it's disappointing for them. They had prepared, they were ready, so they're frustrated.
"They've trained well this week and they're ready to go tonight. It's about us being better and making sure we play to the full extent of our talent. I think the players have had a good pre-season and we've had the opening league game in the draw with Bohemians.
"So we go to Tallaght tonight and we know we'll have to earn everything. The players are excited and they want to perform. Bring it on."
Derry City will be back in the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium once again, looking for a much-improved performance compared to what they shown so far.
While the Candystripes have four points on the board, late goals were required to rescue them, and a step up will be required against a Bohemians team on a high.
Colm Whelan’s hat-trick in Sligo is likely to instil confidence into the Gypsies as two unbeaten teams clash.
Reynolds knows it will be different challenge this week as they head north again: "Derry were already an excellent side last season and they've brought in some big names and serious experience ahead of this season.
"They have some of the best attacking players in the country. We know the damage they are capable of inflicting on teams before now, and they have added even more quality since.
"But we are relishing that challenge. We’re going up as underdogs to a packed Brandywell. There will be a hostile atmosphere with a big crowd behind Derry but that’s something we will embrace.
"You want your players to enjoy that kind of pressure, so we are going up there with real confidence, and determined to build on the good start that we have had."
City could have a new goalkeeper after making the loan signing of Eddie Beach on Thursday.
The Kilmarnock stopper has joined Derry after Brian Maher injured his hand before the draw with Dundalk last week.
Beach came through the Academy system at both Southampton and Chelsea, and made 20 appearances for Chelmsford City while on loan from Stamford Bridge.
He has featured in eight games for Killie since joining last summer.
The Louth derby makes a welcome return to the calendar as a newly-laid Oriel Park surface hosts the meeting of Dundalk and Drogheda United.
Oriel Park may well sell out with United fans snapping up their away allocation.
Dundalk can be greatly encouraged by coming so close to winning in Derry.
After a long wait, Premier Division football is back in Oriel.
Dundalk boss Ciaran Kilduff admits there is a special feeling surrounding the fixture: "There's a real buzz around the place and the squad can’t wait," Kilduff stated.
"After everything that’s happened over the past 18 months or so, it’s a special occasion to have a live televised Louth Derby in Oriel Park, on a new pitch under new floodlights. This is the platform we wanted — and now that it’s here, we’ll make the most of it."
United have had a tough week off the pitch, but their start to the season has been outstanding.
Now top of the league, victory in this game would make for a remarkable start as Kevin Doherty seeks to overachieve again with the Boynesiders.
Shelbourne welcome Galway United to Eamonn Deacy Park.
Both teams had to sit out last week due to unplayable pitches and are looking for a first victory of the campaign.
Tolka Park will look more impressive as the newest stand in the venue heads towards being reopened.
Reds boss O'Brien has not seen the stadium look as well before as it prepares to host their first home game of the year: "The pitch looks brilliant, a hell of a lot of work has gone into it. The new stand looks great as well. You don't want to ruin the pitch on your first game there, so maybe the game not happening will help the pitch maintenance, the place is looking really good. It’s special for us. With that reopening of the new stand it’s another boost to the ground and another positive improvement."
He is expecting a close game with United, as has been the case throughout the last number of years when the sides have clashed: "It's always a difficult game, there are no easy matches in this league. We had three draws with them last season and beat them once. They’re hard to break down and very physical, with experienced players who know the game well. It’ll be a tough match."
The final game sees Sligo Rovers look to bounce back from a hugely demoralising defeat last week.
After conceding four goals and failing to have a shot on target in their clash with Bohs, John Russell has sought an immediate response against Waterford at the RSC.
Bit O' Red boss John Russell was highly critical of his players after the game last week and is now yearning to move on.
"We've dwelled on it enough", he told sligorovers.com.
"Nobody showed up that night and it was a performance that was absolutely miles off what I expect from my players. But we're still early on in the season and Friday is a huge opportunity for us to show how quickly we can bounce back.
"We did well against Waterford last season but that means absolutely nothing at this moment.
"We have to go down there and put in a performance that's fitting of what we've worked on over pre-season and what matches our ambitions. Every one of the lads has to play his part."
Jon Daly's men were also beaten last week, conceding twice early on to see the game in Drogheda slip from their grasp.
After showing improvement in the second half, they will be confident of earning a first victory under their new boss.
"We'll need to respect Sligo as a different test to Drogheda, but one we feel we can get maximum points from, Daly said.
"Sometimes it's not ideal facing a side who come into the game having been beat 4-0, so it's up to us to start fast and put the doubt into their minds.
"I've taken positives out of the last 75/80 minutes from last week where we had some really good play, so it was just about fixing that last bit.
"We were of course disappointed to lose, but it's now making sure we come back to the RSC looking to make up the points, and that goes for right throughout the course of the season at home."
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