Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers set to raise the temperature in sold-out Dublin derby clash

And so Irish sport’s answer to the Winter Olympics — otherwise known as the League of Ireland summer season — comes around again, the burning passion of the faithful set to go head to head with the piercing February chill on this long-awaited opening night.

At times like this, when all are temporarily equal and everything seems possible, it’s always worth remembering that what would turn out to be the first of Dundalk’s three successive league titles began with a 4-1 Louth derby defeat to Drogheda in 2014.

Which only goes to show that what happens on the first night is not necessarily a reliable indicator of what’s to come.