The drama that engulfed Dundalk drew the most attention on damaging week for a league on an otherwise upward trajectory. The news that a solution has been salvaged has been welcomed in all quarters.
It will also refocus attention on what is the biggest game week of the season to date, with Galway United taking centre stage in the drama.
United are no supporting characters. Despite defeat on Monday, United’s European odyssey remains alive. Yet, there will be some added burden brought by United’s inability to get anything against Shamrock Rovers last time out.
It was nonetheless a special occasion. United entered a game in September, level with the four-in-a-row champions and vying for the same European berth.
Unfortunately, Rovers are rediscovering some of their brilliance and Jack Byrne lit up the night with flashes of genius. United suffered early and could have shipped a few. As it happened, they went in at half-time level after responding with a Conor McCormack penalty to cancel out a Marc McNulty strike that had been coming.
The second half was more reflective of United’s season. They restricted Rovers and offered purpose and passion when they could get forward. They were cruelly undone when Garry Buckley found his own net late on.
There ought not be a hangover from the performance. United hung in there against a side with superior resources and technical ability. They were once again aggrieved by the decisions of the officials, a recurring theme in Terryland. They might well have to contend with these challenges again.
Practically, they might feel the absence of Jeannot Esua who had to depart with an injury. Colm Horgan deputised capably but notably was withdrawn himself towards the end, perhaps still lacking the match fitness to sustain the 90 minutes.
United had named an unchanged side for the fifth time in a row but there is doubt that they will be able to do the same again. Colm Horgan, Rob Slevin and David Hurley will be among those itching for inclusion.
Unfortunately, Maurice Nugent is not among their number. The popular and versatile Clareman sustained an injury in an internal game and is unlikely to feature for the foreseeable. It is a disappointing blow for a player that has progressed and occasionally starred this season.
For their part, Shels come into the contest in a commanding position in the league, but without sufficient slack to fumble too many points. Four points ahead of Derry, who themselves face a resurgent Rovers, they lost last time out in the cup against their title rivals.
It should be simple for them to grasp the positives of exiting the cup with league history looming. They have some superb options in their squad for the trip west.
Irish international Aiden O’ Brien caused United plenty of problems in the cup defeat in Tolka Park. Ali Coote has nailed down a spot since his return from America, scoring against his former side Bohs in a North Dublin Derby. Harry Wood has also come back in summer to some effect.
It all means that the proposition for fans is somewhat similar to that which attracted a big crowd out on Monday. If anything, the stakes are higher, certainly in the title race.
United play like a side that is emboldened by the emotion and energy from the stands. It is somewhat counter-intuitive therefore that the biggest crowds this season have coincided with defeats, see Rovers twice as well as the visits of Pats and Bohs.
The biggest home win was arguably against Shels earlier this season and repeating the trick would reverberate around the league. United strived for years to be relevant again. Tomorrow night, they are centre stage.
