League of Ireland – FAI Cup quarter-finals and Premier Division clashes down for decision

The RTE cameras are in Tallaght tonight for the visit of Sligo Rovers to face Shamrock Rovers. Incredibly, this is the first league game on a Friday night in Tallaght since May 24, a reflection of how a long European run (plus a summer break and schedule built around Euro 2024) can affect the normal routine of a system. 

There isn’t a big game feel around this fixture. Stephen Bradley’s side sit sixth in the table, four points behind their guests – albeit with two games in hand. The number their optimistic fans are still looking at is the 14 point gap to leaders Shels (again with two games in hand) but a blast of the Europa Conference League music over the tannoy there points to where the focus is likely to be between now and the end of the year.