At the end of a momentous year for Larne, the reigning league Champions are hoping to finish on a high against Linfield at Windsor Park on Monday night (7.45pm).
The Invermen clinched their second successive Sports Direct Premiership title under Tiernan Lynch back in May, opening the door for a historic European odyssey.
Beginning in July, Larne enjoyed an extended run after becoming the first Irish League side to reach the group stages of European football.
It proved to be a step up in class but, with Gary Haveron in the dugout after Lynch left for Derry City, they beat Gent in their final Conference League tie recently.
But there have been consequences from their European endeavours as a fixture backlog means Larne have six games in hand on their hosts tonight.
The Blues have a 12-point lead at the top of the table and will go 25 points clear of Larne if they win tonight, a daunting prospect.
However, Larne went to Windsor 13 months ago eight points behind Linfield, won 2-1 and went on to win the league so they are in familiar territory.
“Linfield have been the benchmark in the league and we know we have it all to do”, said Haveron.
“It's a big game, no doubt. Every game between Larne and Linfield over the last three or four years has been a big game and tonight is no different.
“They are top of the league on merit, they have been the most consistent team in the division and their fans will be right behind them.
“But we've gone there and got results before and there's no reason why we can't do it again.
“We both drew our games on Boxing Day but I have no complaints about how the boys performed against Carrick Rangers.
“Some of the decisions were mind blowing though. We had the ball in the net three times and we feel we didn't get what we deserved, but we have accepted it.
“Our aim this season remains to challenge every competition we are in.
“We're in the Co Antrim Shield Final, we're in the semi-finals of the League Cup, we've yet to play in the Irish Cup and we're still fighting in the league, it is obviously the priority.
“With the fixture congestion we will be playing 17 games in six and a half weeks, that's a hell of a task, a big ask.
“We'll take things one game at a time, as we always do, focus on the next game but there is everything to play for.”
“I think we have eleven games before the split”, said Linfield manager David Healy. “So it's important that we maximise our support at home.
“I know these are challenging times but I would urge fans to come out and support the team, the players, the club, myself.
“We're going to need everybody singing from the same hymn sheet, fighting for each other and we're going to need a strong Linfield going into the New Year.”