Ger Nash not thinking about points but hoping for Cork City 'turning point'
City's 1-0 win over Galway on Friday, followed by Sligo Rovers losing at home to Shelbourne 24 hours later, combined to reduce the gap at the bottom to eight points.
Ten games remain for the club to avoid a third relegation in six years. Next up are trips to title contenders Derry City and Bohemians, either side of hosting Waterford in the FAI Cup.
Josh Fitzpatrick's first goal handed manager Ger Nash his first since being appointed by owner Dermot Usher in May.
He was reluctant to quantify a points target, only highlighting belief among the squad and staff that the tally can finally rise to ensure the run-in doesn't become a formality of preparing for the dreaded drop.
'I can't be thinking about points,' said the relieved manager, admitting the win could mark a turning point of the season. 'We just have to win our next game.
'I hope it is (the turning point). The turning point comes from how we work and finally getting some luck.
'We'd played better in matches this season and lost but we weren't hanging on against Galway.
'Galway had a lot of set pieces and all that but we weren't crumbling. We stood up to it. There haven't been many clean sheets but this second one is progress.
'The win was huge for us. It gives everybody a chance to breathe because it's relentless. We've got a real unity among the group and everybody is fighting for this football club. That's the most important thing."
Nash could be without his new captain Fiacre Kelleher for the Brandywell trip after an ankle injury forced him off 20 minutes into Friday's contest. Fellow centre-back Charlie Lyons is back from suspension but not injury.
Members of Cork City FC's title winning squad of 2005 at their reunion, along with MC Ruairi O'Hagen and then chairman Brian Lennox.
Meanwhile, Cork City's league-winning squad of 2005 reunited on Saturday to mark the 20th anniversary.
The vast majority of players were joined by the owner at the time, Brian Lennox, at Coughlan's Bar in Cork to mingle with fans and reminisce about the golden era.
'We weren't just teammates, we were great friends,' noted Joe Gamble, in conversation on stage with Ruairí O'Hagan. 'I could hardly remember the names of players in my teams at other clubs but this group had a special bond. We had great times, brilliant banter and top-class players.' After a montage of the season began proceedings, the full match was played on the screen as groups of players took turns to recall their highpoints.
Bank holiday Monday sees a full series of First Division matches kicking off simultaneously at 5pm. Leaders Dundalk hold a six-point cushion over both Cobh Ramblers and Bray Wanderers with 11 games remaining.
Cobh welcome Wexford to St Colman's Park while Longford Town travel to Dundalk. Bray make the long trip to Finn Harps, there's a Munster derby at Markets Field between Treaty United and Kerry, while basement side Athlone Town host UCD.
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