As we all know, Ireland's World Cup qualifying campaign will draw to a close tonight as Kazakhstan pay a visit to the Aviva Stadium.
An eventful but fruitless campaign could also mark the final involvement of several of our most experienced internationals.
With hours to go to kick-off, interim manager Noel King has once-again kept his starting line-up under wraps until shortly before kick-off.
Captain Robbie Keane is likely to return to the starting eleven after injury kept him out against Germany. Andy Reid may also start.
The Nottingham Forest man last appeared for his country against San Marino in 2006.
King has admitted that he is likely to field a more attacking team tonight than was the case against Germany.
Even if Ireland are deployed in a 4-2-3-1, it is unlikely that Glenn Whelan will be fielded on the right wing or Marc Wilson in the centre of the park.
However last night King also told Off The Ball that Ireland cannot expect to just walk over Kazakhstan as they have held both Sweden and Austria to draws in this group, while they took Ireland to the wire in Astana last September.
But a win is vitally important for the challenges that lie in the years ahead.
Keane has pointed out that Ireland need to improve on their world ranking or they could struggle to qualify for major tournaments.
A win against Kazakhstan this evening could give Ireland an easier route to Euro 2016 which has been expanded to 24 teams.
The Republic are currently ranked 59, and risk falling into a lower seeding pot for future campaigns.
Kick-off at the Aviva Stadium is at 7:45.
©INPHO/Morgan Treacy
