Stephen Kenny returns to Oriel Park for the first time as a manager since their golden era, looking to keep St Patrick's Athletic’s hopes of a European finish alive and in the process sending Dundalk towards relegation.
Kenny has written his name into Lilywhite folklore, winning four league titles, two FAI Cups and qualifying for the Europa League.
Those days are now just memories for Dundalk fans with huge worries over the future of the club.
Local reports this week stated owner Brian Ainscough in considering selling the club and refused to comment when asked.
With debt hanging over the club, likely to be in a seven-figure sum, a stadium that will soon not be fit for use without investment and on the bottom of the table, these are bleak times in Oriel.
Results last week, including their 1-0 loss to Shelbourne at the venue, means the best they can hope for now barring a huge turnaround is the relegation play-off.
One win in seven matches since the mid-season break has not been good enough for Jon Daly’s side.
Scoring has proven a major issue while at the back Felix Goddard has produced several errors in goal.
Dundalk have scored just 19 goals in their 28 league games this season, with just four from 14 at home.
For all the negatives, a point tonight would at least bring them level on points with Drogheda United.
The Saints remain in the hunt for Europe despite a poor league campaign overall.
They saw off 10-man Drogheda United last Sunday and are one of five sides aiming for one guaranteed Conference League spot.
Eight points behind Sligo Rovers with tonight’s game in hand, it’s a must-win for Kenny’s outfit.
There was controversy around this fixture as it was postponed just 46 hours from kick-off as St Pat’s were preparing for their play-off round match in Europe.
That brought considerable anger from the Lilywhites management and ownership.
It counts for little now, however, and turning their frustrations into points on the pitch is all-important.
In the away dugout, the ex-Ireland boss Kenny feels his side can have a very strong finish to the year.
He said: "We've challenged the players to try to replicate the intensity and the quality of our performances in Europe and translate that to our league form between now and the end of the season.
"You are never sure coming back off a European game, especially with the tight turnaround, but the lads were excellent against Drogheda United and will need to raise their levels again tonight.
"Every team in the league is fighting for something, all the games are difficult and facing Dundalk will be no different.
"The players have recovered well over the last couple of days since Sunday and trained well this afternoon, we're ready for the game."
Romal Palmer (knee) and Cian Kavanagh (back) will miss the game for Pat's.
Daly still believes his side can come good: "We had a week's prep on St Pat’s before the game was postponed so we have just added to that.
"We’ll probably face a stronger Pat’s than we would have done last week but we’ll have the belief of getting something out of it.
"We know their strengths and weaknesses. They’re a good group and we saw in Europe how good they can be.
"I still believe that we can win eight games. We haven’t won two games back to back all season but I still think we can when I look at the league and our team but they have to take it by the scruff of the neck and they have to realise that it’s not just going to happen for them, they need to actually step up and make things happen.
"We need to deliver that for 95 minutes plus."
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