There are some football nights where your focus is firmly planted in the present, yet your mind keeps wandering a few days into the future. Tonight feels like one of those nights.
For now, my attention belongs to Dalymount Park. I'll be there myself, watching the Premier Division leaders in the flesh for the first time this season as they take on Dundalk.
On paper it’s an interesting one. The league’s best defence against the joint-top scorers, albeit five of Dundalk’s goals came in their rout of Waterford last Friday.
Bohs’ defensive record has been the backbone of their impressive start. They simply don’t concede goals – only the two late on in the derby against Rovers.
Keeping that strong defensive record will be crucial in bridging the gap between flirting with success and sustaining it.
Dundalk, on the other hand, arrive with goals in them. They may not have had the smoothest of starts to this campaign, no wins in their first five games, but they have flipped that momentum with back-to-back wins against Waterford and Sligo.
Can the league’s most stubborn defence keep out a side full of goal-scoring confidence?
If I’m being honest however, while Dalymount has my full attention, there is another fixture quietly creeping into the back of my mind.
Next week.
The Republic of Ireland versus Czechia.
The anticipation for that one began building the moment the squad was announced yesterday.
What made the news even more intriguing was the moment in the press conference when manager Heimir Hallgrimsson casually dropped the detail that he had signed a new deal.
In my view, it’s a positive step.
Football, as we all know, is a game of fine margins and in this case, shifting narratives.
Hallgrimsson managed to turn opinion on its head in the space of four days across two games.
That’s the strange magic of international football. The strange magic of those four days. One week you’re facing brutal scepticism; the next you’ve guided your team into a play-off position and suddenly people begin to believe again.
The task from the beginning was simple: finish above Hungary in the group. That target was achieved and achieved in spectacular fashion.
Hallgrimsson’s approach has been refreshingly practical. We saw that in those two games. There’s no ego about him, no unnecessary noise.
Just clear thinking and a willingness to adapt to the realities of the squad at his disposal. For us, that pragmatism is essential.
Let’s be honest about where we are. In the grand world of international football, we are still playing catch-up. Squad depth, resources and development pathways remain areas where most nations are ahead of us.
The last international window offered something we haven’t always had in recent years - evidence that this group can achieve results when very few expect them.
Next week’s challenge against Czechia will not be straightforward. In fact, it may be as tough as the last window.
The squad is depleted. Midfield numbers in particular look thin.
Alan Browne returning in good form helps fill a crucial gap. His experience and energy are exactly what a game like this demands.
The inclusion of Bosun Lawal is also interesting. He’s an exciting prospect and the type of player supporters want to see given opportunities.
However, his recent injury issues and lack of consistent game time suggest that if he does feature, the minutes may be limited.
The reality of the situation isn’t great regarding the personnel, or lack there of.
We are going into this match short in certain areas. Against opposition that ranks higher than us.
But football can have a funny way of rewarding teams that embrace their limitations rather than fear them.
Sometimes being written off, or up against it, can become the greatest motivator of all.
This Irish squad appears to be discovering that mindset. The players look comfortable with the idea that they may have to suffer in games, defend for long spells and take their chances when they arrive.
It’s not glamorous football, but international football can be brutal at times and rarely excites from the first minute.
If Hallgrimsson continues to instil a strong mentality - discipline without the ball, bravery when opportunities appear - then Ireland will always remain competitive, even when the odds suggest otherwise.
Which brings me back to the manager himself.
Is he good, or is he lucky?
In football those two qualities can often travel together. Managers who survive and thrive usually possess a bit of both. It seems like they can create their own luck as a by-product of their ability.
Personally, I’d rather have a lucky manager than a good one. Ideally, Hallgrimsson possesses both qualities.
For now, though, there is still football to watch tonight.
A round of games that promise plenty and remind us how important the domestic game remains to Irish football’s future.
But when the final whistle is blown later, I suspect many of us will already be glancing ahead.
Next week, the stage gets bigger.
Watch Czech Republic v Republic of Ireland on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player from 7pm on Thursday, 26 March. Follow our live blog on RTÉ.ie/sport and RTÉ News app or listen to commentary on RTÉ Radio 1.
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