In Uefa-speak, today is MD-1, that is to say, eve of match but also, in this case, eve of tournament.

Casting an eye over those battling to be on the plane for the Republic of Ireland’s Euro 2016 adventure...

Shamorck Rovers 3 Cork City 0: Damien Duff finally made his League of Ireland debut last night, coming on in the dying moments in Tallaght immediately after a third Shamrock Rovers goal had ensured the comprehensive victory which boosts the Hoops European dreams while leaving Cork City’s title aspirations hanging by the slenderest of threads.

Shamrock Rovers midfieder Keith Fahey has been forced to retire from professional football after succumbing to injury.

Short of Paul McGrath doing a Bejamin Button and reconstituting himself as the fabled ‘Black Pearl of Inchichore’, it’s hard to think of an Irish footballer whose appearance in the League of Ireland will generate more genuine delight than that of Damien Duff.

Shamrock Rovers 0 Odds Ballklub 2

Shamrock Rovers manager Pat Fenlon refused to be drawn on the potential signing of 100-times capped Republic of Ireland winger Damien Duff as he stressed the importance of keeping the focus on what is Rovers’ biggest match in three years.

Already missing the injured Keith Fahey, Shamrock Rovers begin their Europa League campaign in Luxembourg tonight (Stade Municipal Differdange, 6pm Irish time) without another experienced ex-international, Stephen McPhail.

With a Uefa Europa League draw to look forward to during it, Cork City players and staff will hope to enjoy the upcoming summer break.

Though they may have won their last three home games, Galway United manager Tommy Dunne will demand far greater effort from his players this evening if they are to make that a fourth when second in the table Cork City — unbeaten away this season — arrive at Eamonn Deacy Park.

St Patrick’s Athletic 2 Shamrock Rovers 1: Holders St Patrick’s Athletic kept their cup ambitions alive when defeating local rivals Shamrock Rovers by 2-1 in their FAI Cup second round encounter at Richmond Park last night.

Cork City 0 Shamrock Rovers 0: There was only one winner from this battle at Turner’s Cross and it wasn’t Cork City or Shamrock Rovers.

Shamrock Rovers 3 Longford Town 2: Max Blanchard was the unlikely matchwinner for Shamrock Rovers with two second half goals at Tallaght Stadium last night.

The League of Ireland is improving year on year and Steve Neville thinks it deserves to be seen by more people.

St Patrick’s Athletic 0 Shamrock Rovers 0: The spoils were shared between St Patrick’s Athletic and Shamrock Rovers at Richmond Park last night.

Shamrock Rovers 1

Bray Wanderers 0 Shamrock Rovers 3

The season might still be young but three games in the next seven days will tell a lot about Dundalk’s ability to successfully defend their Airtricity League title.

Derry City 0 Shamrock Rovers 0: Keith Fahey may have blotted his copybook at the Brandywell last night having been sent off, but Shamrock Rovers will not be too unhappy with their former international as they took a point in Derry.

Shamrock Rovers 3 Galway United 0: Two goals from Mikey Drennan saw Shamrock Rovers finally find their scoring boots at Tallaght Stadium this season.

Shamrock Rovers 0  Bohemians 0

John Caulfield wants more of the same from Cork City’s 12th man against Galway United at Turner’s Cross tonight to help get the goals flowing again Cork have taken a point apiece from resolute away draws at Sligo Rovers and Shamrock Rovers either side of a 5-0 home victory over a struggling Limerick in a steady if unspectacular start to the season.

SSE Airtricity League Premier Division

There are just three games in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division tonight but no shortage of quality and tantalising sub-plots, as Shamrock Rovers meet Cork City in Tallaght, cup holders St Pats travel to Oriel Park to take on champions Dundalk, and joint bottom clashes with joint top as Galway United host Drogheda United.

A greater array of options means Cork City manager John Caulfield is more likely to rotate his side depending on the opposition compared to last season.

On a number of levels, what a lovely surprise that was to see Mr Damien Duff turning up all hale and hearty on RTÉ’s ‘Soccer Republic’ the other night.

SSE Airtricity Premier Division

If the 2015 SSE Airtricity League Premier Division can somehow pick up where it left off last season, then the faithful should be in for a treat or two over the next 48 hours — and beyond.

As a new season kicks off, Liam Mackey takes a deep breath, dons a suit of armour and selects his top 25 League of Ireland players of all time. Be sure to let us know who you think the best player is.

"We did forty press conferences last year and the crowd was never as big as this," said John Caulfield with a grin at Cork’s International Airport Hotel yesterday, as a big media contingent turned up to greet Liam Miller on his official touchdown for Cork City.

Not even the onset of lymphoma could deter Stephen McPhail from continuing his career and the 35-year-old yesterday agreed a new contract at Shamrock Rovers.

Yesterday’s outburst by Roddy Collins on the demise of the League of Ireland was roundly criticised, with Dundalk’s title-winning captain Stephen O’Donnell leading the reaction.

Derry City 0 St Patrick’s Athletic 2

FAI FORD CUP FINAL:

Quoting Van Morrison, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: "wouldn’t it be great if it was like this all the time..."

Jonathan Walters has described Tuesday’s dramatic equaliser against Germany as payback for the humiliating 6-1 loss in Dublin two years before.

Bray Wanderers 2 St Patrick’s Athletic 4

John O’Shea hopes Ireland’s win in Georgia on Sunday can be like the victory over Armenia four years ago — a springboard to launch a successful European Championship qualifying campaign.

St Patrick’s Athletic 3 UCD 2

Cork City 1 St Patrick’s Athletic 0

With Dundalk six points clear at the top of the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division, it’s hard to believe that, back in March, Stephen Kenny’s team lost their opening game in the campaign 4-1 to neighbours Drogheda United.

St Patrick’s Athletic 0 Legia Warsaw 5 (Legia Warsaw win 6-1 on agg)

Legia Warsaw 1 St Patrick’s Athletic 1

UEFA Chqampions League 2nd Qualifying Round, 1st leg