Had you predicted a few years back that the 2014 SSE Airtricity League Premier Division title race would be a straight shootout between Dundalk and Cork City, you’d have to forgive people for giving you a few strange looks.

The first time out for reigning champions will always attract attention but there’s a lot more to the appearance of St Patrick’s Athletic at Turner’s Cross tonight to guarantee the fixture’s billing as the stand-out opening game of the 2014 SSE Airtricity League Premier Division season.