LOI preview: 10,000 to attend Dublin derby in Tallaght

The end of the international break brings a story of success for the League of Ireland with the biggest crowd of the century set to attend a game.

Shamrock Rovers vs Bohemians will create a modern-day attendance record. Whilst the RDS days for the Hoops had heady numbers, it is difficult to find when exactly there was last a five-figure crowd later in the 90s.

The RTÉ cameras will be present for a moment that is a vision for the future of the game, if trends continue.

That may be dependent on the FAI and state support. As it stands, only Tallaght Stadium can facilitate such a crowd and that will not change any time soon. After a bleak window it is an uncertain period for Irish football.

Damien Duff, one of the most decorated players ever to wear the green shirt, summed up his feelings on where the game sits now.

The Shelbourne boss said: "It is brilliant to be back in action this weekend. The last two weeks has highlighted that the leading light of Irish football, is not the national team but the league itself.

"It is bigger, better, more exciting and more important. Every true Irish football fan has been waiting for this Friday, nothing else."

The bigger picture weighs heavily but on matchday comes a lot more focus on how the Premier Division itself is evolving.

The Dublin derby will be first Alan Reynolds' first match in charge of Bohs.

The Gyspies have made all the right moves off-the-pitch and come close to success on it.

However, lost Cup finals and memories of European nights will not suffice. Reynolds has a big task to reshape the squad and get Bohs competing near the head of the table.

The champions secured a massive win in Galway when it looked like they were heading for a draw. History shows they may now reel off