Trinity take on UCD at College Park this afternoon (kick-off 2.0) in the annual colours match, with the home side looking to re-establish their dominance of the fixture they enjoyed prior to the game temporarily slipping off the calendar during the late 1990s.
Last year, when it was first staged again, UCD won 3-1 and they start as favourites again thanks to their scholarship scheme and experienced first-team squad.
The absence of most of the college's National League players, though, combined with the fact home advantage has been conceded on the basis that the city centre venue is a better setting for the game, should help to even things up.
With his club having reduced the first team's average age dramatically over the past 12 months in order to compete in the under-21 league, Trinity manager Terry McAuley must cope with a lack of experience within his panel. However, last weekend's 1-1 draw with Shelbourne, after a 6-0 defeat earlier in the season, suggests his players are learning as fast as might reasonably be expected.
Still, there will only be two or three of the side that won last season's Irish Life United Churches League Cup and a lot will be expected of the side's stronger players like returned TEK defender/midfielder Stephen Darcy as well as Seβn Keegan, Ronan O'Connor and Jason Corbett.
UCD are expected to start with the two or three of the players that featured in Sunday's league defeat by Shamrock Rovers. The visiting side is also based for the most part on the club's under-21 league side. With Pat Jennings out injured, the college's first-choice Gaelic football goalkeeper, Gerry McGill, deputises, but Kevin Grogan should play for at least part of the contest.
