And so the never ending summer soccer feast continues. The World Cup in France; Ireland's under18s conquering Europe in Cyprus and St Patrick's Athletic and Shelbourne giving the Old Firm something to think about in their European club ties.
Just when you thought you might need to catch your breath in relief before the new season kicks off in earnest, we have the Carlsberg Trophy at Lansdowne Road tonight and tomorrow afternoon.
Italian team Lazio, the Premiership pair of Liverpool and Leeds United and St Patrick's Athletic compete in this year's event won last year by Newcastle United who beat Derry City in the final after their surprising win over Celtic.
The event is the second of three annual Summer tournaments which are scheduled for Dublin under a deal brokered between UK-based promoters MatchMaster Promotions and the FAI.
It kicks off at 6 o'clock this evening with National League champions St Patrick's Athletic playing Liverpool. That's followed at 8.15 p.m. with Lazio versus Leeds United. The final's at 3.45 tomorrow preceded by the third/fouth place play-off at 1.30 p.m.
We've been promised that up to 18 players who played in France '98 will be in Dublin for the event including Chilean Marcelo Salas and England's Michael Owen.
Lazio, the Italian Cup winners, bring more than £40 million worth of close season signings with them. As well as Salas, they will parade other new recruits Spanish midfielder Ivan de la Pena; Portuguse defender Fernando Couto, also signed from Barcelona, and two Yugoslavs Sinisa Mihailjovic and teenager Dejan Stankovic.
Croatian striker Alen Boksic, who missed the World Cup due to injury, is fit again and travels to Lansdowne Road.
Steve Staunton's return to Liverpool after seven years at Aston Villa brings the Irish contingent at Anfield to three with Phil Babb and Jason McAteer in their party along with new signings South African born Sean Dundee and Norwegian defender Vegard Heggem.
Anfield's England contingent of Paul Ince, Steve McManaman and Owen, are all expected to play.
The tournament is perhaps too soon for St Patrick's Athletic coming just as they nurse several knocks to players following Wednesday's defeat to Celtic, but they're nonetheless revelling in the opportunity to play more top level opposition.
"It's tremendous for us to have the opportunity to play against Liverpool and either Lazio or Leeds," said St Patrick's Athletic manager Pat Dolan.
Michael Owen, one of the big rising stars of world football, described how he's slowly coming to terms with the huge spotlight that now follows him everywhere after his brilliant World Cup displays.
"It's been hard. There has been a lot of attention after the World Cup," said the 18-year-old. "I just try to keep things as normal as I can. I try to keep my head down and not be recognised as much as possible. I'm fed up with the attention already but it's something I'll have to live with."
£13.5 million striker Marcelo Salas is a problem for Lazio coach Sven Goran Eriksson. The talented 23-year-old Chilean, who fulfilled his promise with four goals in four games at the World Cup finals, is unlikely to start against Leeds tonight due to a groin strain.
The much travelled Eriksson, who also managed at Roma and Sampdoria, knows that the expectation on his side to deliver their first Italian title in 25 years is huge.
"We have a rather good team with many big football names," said Eriksson.
"Tomorrow will provide us with the first chance to see most of them in action. It will be our first real game with all these new players."
Eriksson quashed rumours that Lazio had made a £10 million offer for Liverpool midfielder Steve McManaman. "I have read these reports," said Eriksson, "but we have never spoken about him. He is an extremely good player. But no, we are not going to buy any more players this season."
Ticket are available from HMV, Grafton street prices ranging from £5 terrace to £30 West Lower stand.
