It all began back in February. It feels like a lifetime ago now.
And so the most compelling, unpredictable and, at times perplexing, men's Premier Division season for quite a while is about to conclude. Its denouement a fitting final act to what has gone before.
All eyes fixed on the Ryan McBride Brandywell and Tallaght Stadium and with it a script, as yet, unknown.
In keeping with the season so far, the audience should be prepared for a final twist or two before the trophy is handed out.
Up to last Friday, there was a cast of four, in a title tussle that was being dubbed 'the race nobody wanted to win'. Of course they wanted to win it, but stage fright and a few fluffed lines affected performances.
Shelbourne regained their composure in the last few weeks, while five-in-a-row seeking Shamrock Rovers at times not at their showy best, are still part of the plot in a working title that transitioned to 'four becomes two' after the penultimate weekend.
It's ten years since the former FAI chief executive John Delaney described the league as a "difficult child for the organisation".
Delaney's comments uttered on the back of the FAI assuming control of the league, this after clubs had a collective loss of €7million for one trading year.
Billionaire owners are filling the void of a league yet to become sustainable in itself. The problems have diminished, but not disappeared.
Dundalk's financial woes and their near demise was an unwanted news item for such an established club.
Owner John Temple is now looking to attract investors, while stating that the club will enter the Small Company Administrative Rescue Process (SCARP), a move that could see the County Louth club start on negative points in next year's First Division.
Elsewhere, the news was much brighter in 2024. Crowds are up; clubs doing their bit to sell their product, taking ownership, realising the potential of what is on their doorstep. Tallaght Stadium is the benchmark for what stadia should be. Numerous clubs have plans in place to improve, to relocate.
The government's Community Sport Facilities fund recently allocated €41m towards League of Ireland and grassroots football. A total of €230 million in sports capital grants was also announced for clubs and facilities across the country.
The FAI is seeking money to effectively implement its Football Pathways Plan, where it seeks €863m over 15 years to modernise facilities and standards.
Writing in his column on these pages, former LOI star Eoin Doyle posited a new funding model for the league, stating that the "FAI must come to terms with the fact that the league could perform better commercially if it were operating independently. Doyle highlighted "substantial private investment most probably from the United States".
Former GAA president Seán Kelly, who was instrumental in the opening up of Croke Park to other sport and is now a Fine Gael MEP, is among a growing number of public figures looking for increased investment in Irish football. The Kerryman has called for a more "professional structure within Ireland's league's, particularly focusing on academy development".
Emphasising a change of mindset, Kelly added: "There is a lot of work needed to reach the levels of our European neighbours, but to do that we need to change our attitude to both the domestic league in the country as well as talent development."
An election is coming and no doubt pressure will be put on those looking for votes across the constituencies to further aid a product that contributed €164.7 million annually to the Irish economy in 2023 through direct activities.
There's more engagement alright. More eyeballs on tv and other forms of media. The die-hard fans with a little less of the poor mouth, no harm in that. Appreciate the good in what you have and what could make it better.
On the pitch, for most of the season, Shels have led the way in the top flight. It may not be quite Red Rum passing Crisp in the '73 Grand National if they lose it now, but there will be an acute disappointment if they don't get the job done. The consensus is, and rightly so, that Duff's men have the harder task on this 'Super Friday'.
Shamrock Rovers are favoured by most to do what they have to do against Waterford.
For Derry City, ending the season with nothing will be hard to take. At times the door was open for them to win the league, but unlike Shels, they couldn't summon up the required response to leave them in the hunt on the final night.
Stephen Kenny's St Patrick's are finishing like an express train; without doubt the form team in the league. Thoughts are now turning to what they can achieve in 2025.
Galway United and Waterford's return to the top flight, a qualified success for both. Sligo Rovers, relegation candidates before a ball was kicked, clicked into a higher gear after the summer break. For Bohemians, it was a season of under achievement, with some groans amongst the Dalymount faithful.
Drogheda United also found form when it mattered late on, not enough to avoid a relegation play-off, but should still have the quality to remain in the higher section. European football next season would surpass all expectations.
As for Dundalk, who knows what shape they'll be in come February next? Their Oriel Park ground, a telling depiction of why extra funding is needed.
But for now all eyes on which Dublin club will lift that trophy come 10pm on Friday night.
