Dublin derby clash of trailblazing rivals Shamrock Rovers and Bohemians puts League of Ireland's progress in spotlight

Tonight's Dublin derby clash between Shamrock Rovers and Bohemians is more than just another fixture on the League of Ireland calendar; it's a historic night symbolising the significant growth and potential of both clubs and, indeed, the league itself.

With a sell-out crowd of 10,000 fans expected at Tallaght Stadium, including Bohemians fans who snapped up their away allocation of 1,000 tickets in just seven minutes, the stage is set for what is the flagship fixture of the season.

Of all the leagues in Europe, only our own, Kazakhstan and Belarus have TV deals that do not see the proceeds directly distributed among the clubs. Could this encounter, under the floodlights of Tallaght, have the makings of a stand-alone asset capable of drawing a significant deal that would benefit the clubs? The question of whether this fixture could serve as a turning point for the League of Ireland's broadcast potential is one worth pondering.

I'm sure the answer may well lie in the viewing numbers, which will ultimately validate or disprove my theory that games of this magnitude can significantly elevate the league's profile. Or maybe Irish viewing numbers are irrelevant and a well-thought-out marketing strategy around this fixture might attract suitors beyond our shores.

Both Shamrock Rovers and Bohemians have been at the forefront of off-field advancements, exceeding the modest commercial expectations traditionally associated with the league.

If someone had told me when I first left in 2012 that I would be returning to a league where one club had a global reach through merchandise sales and another was selling advertisements through pitch-side LED boards while consistently selling players for six-figure-plus sums I would have left the room