Having enjoyed their adventure in Europe, Shamrock Rovers get back to the nitty-gritty of trying to make sure they get a taste of it again next year when they resume their quest for Premier Division honours against Longford Town at Richmond Park tonight.
"We played four games against two technically good sides," said Rovers' manager Liam Buckley. "That experience will stand us in good stead for the remainder of this season and into Europe, hopefully, again next summer.
"I have no doubt that the players enjoyed the experience and that it has benefited their game." Though they missed three league games while focusing on the InterToto Cup, Buckley insists Rovers' domestic aspirations were merely on hold.
"We never lost sight of the league when we were in Europe. We had been playing quite well up to the break and were second in the table. Europe was obviously a distraction but we are all looking forward to getting back into the league campaign," added Buckley whose side has surprisingly lost little ground in its absence.
Midfielder Alan Reynolds is Rovers' only injury concern as he nurses the Achilles strain that hampered him during the Slovan Liberec games.
Longford, buoyed by their 4-0 win over Derry City midweek, expect to be unchanged.
"We would look to maintain the level of performance we showed on Tuesday to try to string a winning run together," said Longford manager, Alan Matthews.
Tony McDonnell misses the Dublin derby at Tolka Park as bottom of the table UCD travel to leaders Shelbourne.
The UCD captain and midfielder is out for up to six weeks, all at Belfield agreeing that the only cure for a niggling hamstring problem is rest.
"It's a blow to lose one of your most experienced players, but we'll just have to get on with it," says College manager, Paul Doolin. Niall Donnelly and Mick O'Donnell, both back from suspension, should come straight into the side tonight.
Seven points clear, it's all relatively rosy for Shelbourne whose only injury absentee is Dessie Baker (groin). Manager Pat Fenlon is thus likely to keep faith with the side that drew 0-0 at St Patrick's Athletic last week.
Paul Osam, the St Patrick's midfielder, remains out, though they have decided to put off keyhole surgery on his knee injury.
St Patrick's are thus likely to be unchanged for their trip to Drogheda United.
"It's an important game for us as a win would put us just a point behind St Pat's," said Drogheda manager Harry McCue who hopes striker Neil Tarrent passes a fitness test on a back strain to join a squad still missing the injured Steven Gray and Padraig Gollogly.
"I have nothing but admiration for what Waterford are doing," says Cork City manager, Pat Dolan, ahead of the Munster derby at the RSC. "Some pundits were rather derogatory about their chances of making a fist of staying up, but they are comfortably in mid-table and have made tremendous progress.
Cork are without captain Greg O'Halloran (knee) and Kevin Doyle, who fractured a shoulder blade in the League Cup semi-final defeat to St Patrick's. Waterford welcome back their captain John Frost following a one-match suspension.
TONIGHT'S FIXTURES (7.45 unless stated)
National League Premier Division
Drogheda United v St Patrick's Athletic (8.0); Shamrock Rovers v Longford Town; Shelbourne v UCD; Waterford United v Cork City (7.30). First Division
Athlone Town v Dundalk; Bray Wanderers v Galway United.
