LOI preview: Shamrock Rovers and Dundalk back in domestic mode after European exits

With three of the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division clubs having been in Europa Conference League action on Thursday, it sets up an important Sunday for the two sides - Shamrock Rovers and Dundalk - who will only have domestic targets for the remainder of the campaign.

Derry City, whose European odyssey will continue with a long journey to Kazakhstan this coming week, have been given a timely break with their fixture against UCD rescheduled for 6 September.

Dundalk v Shelbourne, Oriel Park, 5pm

Dundalk were knocked out of the Europa Conference League on aggregate after Thursday's 2-2 draw against KA of Iceland but the bigger news for them centred around the return of one of the key men from the golden era of the mid-2010s.

Winger Daryl Horgan makes Oriel Park his home again, seven years after he left for Preston North End, and he is slated to make his Lilywhites comeback pending international clearance.

The interim saw the 30-year-old win 17 caps for the Republic of Ireland as well as experiencing life at Preston, Wycombe, Hibernian and Stevenage and his former team-mate and now Dundalk manager, Stephen O'Donnell, did not hide his excitement about pitching Horgan straight back into the LOI.

"He's a thorough professional and he was in training for a couple of weeks with Wycombe and played a week ago," he said.

"He looks in really good condition so I don’t think he’s going to take that long at all to get up to speed."

Dundalk also added former Sheffield Wednesday forward Sam Durrant to their squad ahead of the Shelbourne game.

Sixth-place Shels, meanwhile, are just one point behind Dundalk going into their second away fixture in a row.

Damien Duff will have defensive duo Shane Griffin and Paddy Barrett available again after