Having swept a new broom through the club since taking charge last November, Bohemians manager Sean Connor, far from daunted by the challenge of facing one of the title favourites in the opening game of season at Dalymount Park tonight, is relishing the chance to benchmark his side's progress against Drogheda United.
"It will be a tight game with neither side wanting to give anything away early on," said Connor. "I'm looking forward to it as it will give me an indication in terms of where we are; how far we are off a side like Drogheda, who have been together for two or three seasons."
With defenders Liam Burns and Jason McGuinness and midfielder John Paul Kelly passed fit, winger Harpal Singh is Connor's only doubt due to a groin strain.
"The first game is very important as it can set the tone for the season. Having said that, if you lose it's not going to destroy you. The problem here is that we haven't won the first game for the last couple of seasons, so it would be nice to get off to a winning start."
Drogheda hope that Steven Gray, who pulled up in training on Wednesday with a thigh problem, is passed fit to partner Graham Gartland in central defence as Jason Gavin, along with winger Richie Baker, is suspended.
Dave Rogers and Peter Hynes will have to wait for their Derry City debuts because of suspension and the Fifa rule regarding eligibility of players who've already played for two clubs in a 12-month period respectively, as manager Pat Fenlon prepares the bookies' favourites to face Bray Wanderers at the Brandywell.
Fenlon is also without winger Killian Brennan, who has an ankle injury, and striker Gary Beckett (pelvis).
Bray's new signings Alan Cawley and Gavin Doyle are also caught up in the Fifa registration issue and ineligible while young striker John Broderick is out with an ankle injury.
Having got just one league start during a frustrating season at Cork, Waterford United striker Vinny Sullivan feels he has a point to prove when the sides clash in an early Munster derby at the RSC.
"I felt I didn't get much of an opportunity to really show what I can do at Cork last year," said Sullivan. "Every player just wants to play football and that's why I came back to Waterford. I didn't get a chance to do that at Cork.
"It would be great to get off the mark in the first game. While it would be great to get a goal, getting the three points is far more important than me scoring."
Midfielder Ray Scully is a Fifa rule victim while manager Gareth Cronin must wait on defenders Alan Keely (flu) and Robbie Hedderman (dead leg).
Cork's chief close-season signings Gareth Farrelly and Colin Healy still await clearance from Fifa. Manager Damien Richardson will give defender Brian O'Callaghan a fitness test while striker John O'Flynn won't feature as he's not yet match fit.
Shamrock Rovers are below strength for their return to the top flight against UCD at Belfield with right back Ger O'Brien, midfielders Paul Shiels and Eric McGill, along with striker Tadhg Purcell all sidelined with injuries.
Manager Pat Scully says that left back Robbie Clarke, striker Andy Myler and Wayne Colbert all have a chance of being passed fit. UCD report a full squad to pick from.
Galway United are at virtually full strength for the visit of managerless Sligo Rovers at Terryland Park - their first match back in the Premier Division in five years. Australian Tomislav Arcaba makes his debut in goal for Sligo as Richard Brush is two weeks away from fitness.
