All five Irish imports have been named in the Southern United side and coach Paul O’Reilly hopes the young men will have a big impact on the tournament.
The league’s rules allow up to eight foreign players to be named in the game-day squad of 16. While fielding so many players from outside the region could be viewed as counterproductive to the game’s development, O’Reilly is comfortable the group will help lift the standard of football.
"We didn’t bring these lads in not to play," he said.
"They’ve come off the back of the season in the Irish Premier League fit and sharp and I certainly think they are going to have a big role to play on the pitch."
O’Reilly said they would have to earn their spot in the team like everyone else but he was confident in their quality.
The Wanderers are expected to present Southern United with a stern challenge.
"It is going to be a tough test. They got through the pre-season without losing a game and are obviously going well.
"They have some decent players that we really need to be aware of — a lot of pace out wide and a big presence up front."
While O’Reilly believes his side has the potential to get off to a winning start, the team would be content to escape Hamilton with any points at all.
Southern United is still very much a work in progress and a draw would be something to build on.
"I think we are at a level where we can be competitive. We are happy with the progress we have made ... but by no means are we the finished article.
"We still have a lot of work to do. It is still a new squad with a lot of fresh faces."
O’Reilly said his team was done with the pre-season and was "chomping at the bit" to get the season under way.
There was a "feisty" midweek training as the intensity notably lifted.
The team will leave for Hamilton early this morning and return early tomorrow morning.
Southern Utd v Hamilton Wanderers
Hamilton, today, 2pm
Southern United: Liam Little, Conor O’Keefe, Craig Ferguson, Stephen Last, Danny Ledwith, Eric Molloy, Michael Hogan, Harley Rodeka, Ben O’Farrell, Andy Mulligan, Ross Howard, Andrew Ridden, Cam Higgins, Cam McPhail, Chris Kessell.
Hamilton Wanderers (from): Damian Hirst, Matt Oliver, Aaron Scott, Bailey Webster, Christian Gray, Johnny Konings, Jordan Shaw, Sam Redwood, Tom Davis, Alexis Varela, Cory Mitchell, Dylan Windust, Jack Salter, Kenta Nakashima, Mark Jones, Rossi Nkoy, Xavier Pratt, Godwin Darkwa, Jama Boss, Judd Baker, Marc Evans, Raymond Gunemba, Regont Murati.
