That seems to be the only positive to take from a dismal two weeks on the Irish League front.

Our new JJB Sports Premiership - a much heralded league with supposed glitz and glamour - has stuttered into gear. Well, stalled actually. Two false starts have been endured by passionate fans, so fingers crossed it is third time lucky.

The referees, for now, have thankfully sorted out their major dispute with Irish FA chiefs and as long as we don't have another act of God this week, we should finally see a full programme in the JJB Sports Premiership.

Not that either Institute or Crusaders are complaining. They are both sitting pretty at the top of the league after surviving the atrocious weather conditions last week when they grinded out a 1-1 draw. But we desperately need a full programme so that the season, which I expect to be the most intriging for many a year, can finally start in earnest.

Last Saturday we were deprived of five matches including a fascinating encounter between arch rivals Linfield and Cliftonville. It lasted only 32 minutes before ref Alan Black, quite rightly, brought proceedings to a premature conclusion.

The champions are back on home soil this Saturday against Newry City and this is a game that could signal the intent of the so called "also rans" in the league.

For it seems to me that the gap between the Belfast Big Two and the rest of the teams in the new look JJB Sports Premiership has reduced considerably.

Now I don't doubt for one minute that the Gibson Cup is likely to come down in the end to Linfield and Glentoran, but I'm convinced at least four or five teams, including Cliftonville, will have a major say in the destination of the Championship.

Newry, Distillery, Ballymena and even Glenavon will all have an influence.

So I'm certainly not thinking Saturday's game at Windsor will be a home banker for the Blues.

I expect a serious challenge from Gerry Flynn's men but in contrast Linfield could flex their early muscles and lay down a marker to the rest of the league.

It will be an interesting affair.

The Glens also have a tricky encounter away to the Whites but the returning Gary Hamilton, who scored a hat trick on Tuesday night, should make the difference.

Glenavon are apparently a rejuvenated side this year under the stewardship of Stevie McBride however we need evidence of this fact and there is no better test than a trip to Crusaders to face the Hatchetmen.

Cliftonville stumbled dramatically at the end of last season and they will be out to hit the ground running. After last week's abandoned match against Linfield they now travel to Ballymena in a game that is so difficult to call.

Roy Walker's sides have always been difficult to break down and the Reds may well find this is the case of Saturday. The dangerman for the light blues is of course striker Kevin Kelbie - a player Linfield boss David Jeffrey was desperate to sign after the departure of goalscoring ace Peter Thompson.

Coleraine take on Dungannon Swifts at the Showgrounds and to me this game has scoreless draw written all over it.

But there could be plenty of goals in what could turn out to a dramatic match at Clandeboye Park between Bangor and Institute.

These two sides, if the bookies are correct, will be fighting it out come the end of the season to make sure they avoid finishing last.

There's something about Marty Quinn's sides that catches the imagination - fighting spirit and determination to win. That screams out the Seasiders will be well clear of the bottom come the end of April.

If this is the case, then Bangor need to record a healthy win over the unfancied 'Stute. Institute though will be determined to win so they can continue to sit proudly on top of the League.

The fixtures are set in place all we need now is for the football to finally to do the talking.

So please, just let the games begin.