LOI preview: Top two clash as Dundalk host Shamrock Rovers

After a three-week break, the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division returns with a top-two clash on Friday night.

The international window and interval period allowed for such a long stretch of no matches.

It was certainly needed for the players with some teams playing up to 10 games in a matter of five weeks in the race to get fixtures played before the European window.

Those draws happened during the week, bringing excitement, some disappointment and a wave optimism for the likes of Shamrock Rovers and Sligo Rovers.

Nevertheless, focus will return to domestic matters. It would have hard to believe back when the first series of matches was coming to a conclusion that Dundalk would be the team in line to challenge the Hoops at the top of the table.

Stephen O'Donnell’s side have a magnificent home record, mixed with a mean defence, and they’ve continually added to the points total.

They will sit out Europe this year, yet have a place for 2023 in their sights already. When the teams around them turn their attention to Tuesday and Thursday nights, the Lilywhites will have another opportunity to add to their advantage.

Whether they can challenge Shamrock Rovers, it seems unlikely based on squad depth first and foremost.

Secondly, tonight will be pivotal. Victory for Bradley’s men would increase their lead at the top to 11 points and that will be next to impossible to bridge between now and the end of the campaign.

It is a worry for the rest of the season that the title race could be over before it feels like it has even begun.

Derry City have had time to regroup in the break period. It was needed after a very patchy period of results, including a defeat to Sligo and home draw with Finn Harps.

It’s a challenge for Ruaidhri Higgins, who