It's a big month for Dundalk Football Club, not just a big week.
Sunday's FAI Cup final with Cork gives Stephen Kenny's team a chance to join an elite collection of teams to have achieved the domestic double.
The club have longer-term ambitions too, but they are complicated by a dispute over the lease on their Oriel Park ground with former owner Gerry Matthews.
They cannot apply for government grants until they sort out an issue which revolves around a Youth Development Centre constructed on the site under his watch. Attempts at mediation have failed to secure an agreement.
Back-to-back league titles have boosted the Dundalk coffers, but they know that the substantial cost of refurbishing their dated home will devour profits.
And later this month, tests on their artificial pitch will determine what course of action is necessary in that department heading into 2016. The purchase of a hybrid pitch - which is made of synthetics and grass - is one option that is being considered.
However, the club's hierarchy are reluctant to plough large sums of money into the venue without control of the lease. The delay could damage their prospects of hosting next year's Champions League qualifier in the town and pose larger questions.
It's a niggling concern in the background but, in the dressing-room, the focus is on adding another trophy to the cabinet.
Local officials estimate that in the region of 10,000 fans will travel from the border town to the Aviva on Sunday, and Kenny (right) is thrilled by the excitement that his young group have generated.
"Because we were seven years in the First Division, you lose a generation of support, people lose interest," said the manager.
"You hear people say at times, 'we never gave up but we stuck it out for sheer loyalty.' For them to get big nights here, to go to your national stadium for a cup final - that's a big reward for putting in the hard yards."
"You can see what it means to people here. That hasn't always been the case for League of Ireland clubs, you had to fight for the right to be noticed in the provinces with different sports and things.
"But here, this is definitely a football town. Obviously you wouldn't have thought so a couple of years ago, there was only 300 at the matches, at the end of the (2012) league campaign or whatever. Now, you see a whole new generation of support identify with the players in a major way."
Kenny's main concern is the fitness of skipper Stephen O'Donnell, who was withdrawn in the first half of last Friday's win in Bray as a recurring groin problem was causing him pain. The Galwegian, the key performer in the title-deciding win over Cork 12 months ago, will be given every opportunity to prove his well-being.
"He has a chance to play but it's too early to call now," said Kenny, speaking at the club's media day.
"We are not reliant on any individual; that's the good thing about this team."
Adams waves goodbye to Sligo job after Bit O'Red avoid relegation
Sligo Rovers are on the hunt for a new manager after Micky Adams confirmed that he is returning to England for family reasons.
The former Premier League boss came to the Showgrounds in August on a short-term deal with the brief of keeping them clear of relegation and he succeeded in that mission after taking 15 points from 11 matches. But his family stayed in England and Adams has decided to return there in search of work as opposed to talking with Rovers about sticking around.
"I have had to make a very difficult decision," said Adams, "It is never an easy decision to put yourself out of work but I have to put my family first."
A statement from Sligo thanked Adams and assistant Alan Rogers for their efforts and explained that their search for a new man will start immediately. They will have to move quickly given that it's a crucial time of year with players' contracts expiring and the better clubs getting a head start on recruitment.
"The professionalism and dedication Micky brought to the job lifted the club and guided the club away from a perilous position and for that we are very grateful," said a management committee statement ahead of a meeting last night.
Personal
Sligo join Derry on the look-out for a fresh face in the dugout with Paul Hegarty also deciding against taking up the top job at The Brandywell on a permanent basis after helping the Candystripes to avoid the trap-door. He cited personal reasons as a factor.
Bray and Galway have made moves to tie down important players with Scottish goalkeeper Peter Cherrie penning a two-year deal with the Seagulls. Galway supremo Thomas Dunne has agreed a new contract with promising teenager striker Padraic Cunningham whose campaign was ended prematurely by a knee issue.
Meanwhile, Bosnia will today name their squad for the Euro 2016 play-off with Ireland after coach Mehmed Bazdarevic delayed his announcement by a day.
Bazdarevic has mounted a defence of star man Edin Dzeko who has failed to score for eight games for Roma, most recently in Saturday's defeat to Inter where compatriot Miralem Pjanic was dismissed. "Dzeko has only returned from injury," he said. "I am sure if he had been left on until the end, Roma would have equalised."
The FAI says that Ireland have received 880 tickets for the away leg in Zenica on Friday, November 13, adding that 1,175 Irish fans have requested tickets which will mean some disappointment. All general admission tickets for the decider in Dublin on November 16 have been sold out, but some premium level seats remain available.
Premier Division
| DrawIRELAND: Premier Division - Relegation | |||||
| Final | |||||
| 02.11. 16:45 | Limerick | Finn Harps | 1 : 0 | ||
| StandingsIRELAND: Premier Division | |||||
| Round 33 | |||||
| 30.10. 16:45 | Bohemians | Cork City | 0 : 1 | ||
| 30.10. 16:45 | Dundalk | Bray | 4 : 0 | ||
| 30.10. 16:45 | Galway | St. Patricks | 0 : 1 | ||
| 30.10. 16:45 | Longford | Derry City | 4 : 2 | ||
| 30.10. 16:45 | Shamrock Rovers | Drogheda | 5 : 3 | ||
| 30.10. 16:45 | Sligo Rovers | Limerick | 2 : 3 | ||
| DrawIRELAND: Premier Division - Relegation | |||||
| Semi-finals | |||||
| 30.10. 16:45 | Finn Harps | UC Dublin | 2 : 1 | ||
| StandingsIRELAND: Premier Division | |||||
| Round 32 | |||||
| 24.10. 13:45 | Bray | Galway | 1 : 1 | ||
| 23.10. 15:45 | Cork City | Dundalk | 2 : 2 | ||
| 23.10. 15:45 | Derry City | Bohemians | 2 : 3 | ||
| 23.10. 15:45 | Drogheda | Longford | 0 : 3 | ||
| 23.10. 15:45 | Limerick | Shamrock Rovers | 0 : 2 | ||
| 23.10. 15:45 | St. Patricks | Sligo Rovers | 0 : 2 | ||
| DrawIRELAND: Premier Division - Relegation | |||||
| Semi-finals | |||||
| 23.10. 15:45 | UC Dublin | Finn Harps | 0 : 1 | ||
| Show more matches |
| DrawIRELAND: Premier Division - Relegation | |||||
| Final | |||||
| 06.11. 16:45 | Finn Harps | Limerick | |||
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