History is about to repeat itself — and the GAA coffers will benefit substantially.

When Tyrone and Dublin launched the National League programme two years ago in a match that marked the official switch-on of the Croke Park floodlights, an 82,000 sell-out crowd set a new attendance record for a match in the competition.

Now the indications are that it will be a case of ‘same again’ when the teams once more set the League in motion at Headquarters on January 31.

Croke Park spokesman Pat Doherty says: “It’s all pointing to another full house, would you believe. Interest in the game is phenomenal and it would seem that every ticket will be snapped up.”

Tyrone, the reigning All Ireland champions, totally overwhelmed Dublin en route to the title and since then the Leinster champions have harboured a marked desire to turn the tables on the Red Hands.

The re-match will see new Dubs boss Pat Gilroy sample the National League environment for the first time, too.

Gilroy, who has latterly been playing with his club St Vincent’s, has replaced Paul Caffrey as Dublin supremo and is hoping to end their All Ireland title famine that stretches back to 1995.

On New Year’s Day, Gilroy will oversee a match involving a Dublin Select side and a Blue Stars team, the panels incorporating the talent which he will have at his disposal for this year.

Plenty of familiar faces will be on view with veteran midfielder Ciaran Whelan being joined by newcomers such as Sean Breheny (St. Jude’s), Alan Hubbard (Ballymun Kickhams) and Thomas McGrath (Fingal Ravens).

The match invariably creates a considerable ripple of interest among Dublin followers and this year will be staged at Kilbarrack.

Tyrone manager Mickey Harte, meanwhile, hopes to have the majority of his established players back on board for the contest following the Gaelic Life Dr McKenna Cup competition.

The McMahon brothers Justin and Joe will be expected to shore up the defence along with Philip

Jordan but Conor Gormley, who will be getting married in mid-January, may be an absentee.

Sean Cavanagh, the new Footballer of the Year along with Enda McGinley and Colm McCullagh will also be in action but there are doubts about the fitness of skipper Brian Dooher.

Meanwhile, Antrim’s utility player Brendan Hasson has made it clear that the team are keen to build on their Tommy Murphy Cup triumph.

The Saffrons went the distance this year having lost to Wicklow in last year’s decider but Hasson insists that the team now want to earn fresh respect in the National League and All Ireland Championship.

“Jody Gormley was responsible for bringing us on a good bit and now Liam Bradley is in charge. Obviously we look on as Tyrone collect All Ireland titles but we would like to make our own mark.

“There is a decent level of talent within this squad and I think that we have to start delivering at the higher level if we are to boost our status.

“That would certainly be my hope for 2009 and if we can get off to a good start in the Dr McKenna cup, this will be a big help but we will see how we go,” says Hasson.