Last Friday night there was late drama at Turner's Cross in the second live televised game of the season as Cork City enjoyed a return to the limelight, and Shamrock Rovers showed their mettle once again.
The atmosphere on the night was electric - just as we expected under the lights in Cork as Rovers came to town in the early stages of the season.
There are not many better sights in Irish football than Turner's Cross hosting a huge crowd and the home supporters were heading and kicking every ball after two defeats so far this year.
It may have been a slow burner on the field, and not exactly brimming with free-flowing football but it certainly didn't lack in the drama department.
A goalkeeping howler, tough tackling, a red card and to top it off, a 94th-minute equaliser from that man Gary Twigg to snatch victory from City.
The game was bitty and scrappy in the first half but it livened up in the second period.
Breaking from his own half, Cork defender Gavin Kavanagh took a speculative pot shot at goal where the ball move in mid air to test Oscar Jansson and it resulted in Cork taking the lead. It was poor goalkeeping by Jansson and he most definitely should have kept it out.
The second major talking point was the sending off of Rovers defender Conor Powell. I think it may have been a little harsh. It was, as we say in the game, a hospital pass from his colleague which sold Powell short.
As Powell overstretched to regain the ball he caught the Cork player and in the current climate of refereeing I can totally understand why Powell was dismissed. However, the Rovers man was unlucky as some of the red cards this year have fallen into that category of tackle and it left little choice.
All credit has to go to the Hoops though for showing unbelievable character to pick up a valuable point and to come from behind for the third time in-a-row. Having struggled to create anything of note on the night, a chance had to come eventually and Twigg proved to be the hero yet again.
All in all, the biggest winner on the night was the Airtricity League. It is wonderful to have Cork City back competing in the top flight and it can only be a good thing for Irish football.
They are a fantastic club and as player I loved the trips to the Cross. I don't think they will win the league but I'm sure Tommy Dunne will make them as competitive as possible and they certainly were on Friday.
Setanta Cup
This week also sees the quarter-final second legs of the Setanta Cup. It is a good opportunity for teams to earn some silverware at such an early stage in the season so the competition has to be respected. The southern sides have dominated in recent years and again this year you'd have to fancy at least three of them to progress to the semi-finals.
Sligo Rovers and Shamrock Rovers head into their second legs as overwhelming favourites to progress with both of them having two-goal advantages.
Although anything can happen in cup football I would be shocked if both these teams return from the North having not progressed to the semi-finals.
The other two quarters are much tighter affairs with Bohemians and Derry City drawing their first legs against Crusaders and Linfield respectively.
Home advantage could prove crucial in both legs. The Brandywell is a difficult place to go at the best of times and with the rivalry between Derry and Linfield, it promises to be a mouth-watering quarter-final. The tie is beautifully poised at 1-1 but I'm tipping Derry to progress.
Bohemians face Crusaders in Dalymount Park and I can see this one going the distance with extra-time and penalties. Bohs have been struggling for goals and it should be tight throughout the game.
Guess who's back?
Finally, it was nice to see Pat Dolan on the MNS couch this week to review the action and I'm sure the viewers enjoyed his contributions.
It is a shame that he is not involved in football in some capacity in Ireland because Pat is a fantastic manager and character in the league. Dolan led Cork and St Patrick's Athletic to league titles and he is a good figure for the game here.
His analysis of the games is respected given those achievements..and he also agreed with my recommendation of young Monaghan player Jordan Keegan so that alone put a smile on my face!
Until next week,
Alan
