Cork City manager Tim Clancy is determined to get the club on the pathway back to the top flight of Irish football rapidly.
On Friday night at Turner's Cross, the Leesiders recorded their second SSE Airtricity Men's First Division win of the season - but they were made to sweat by a slick UCD side in a testing second half.
Seven-time SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division winner Ronan Finn was absent for UCD, though the Students started well without him, threatening in the opening minutes when Michael Raggett fired just wide from outside the box.
Jack Doherty looked to ignite City into life in the eighth minute, but he blasted over the crossbar following a promising attack from the home side. The creative Doherty went close again shortly afterwards, going around the onrushing UCD keeper Kian Moore before shooting the wrong side of the post.
Cathal O'Sullivan - still only 16 - once again showcased glimpses of his huge talent and as the opening half edged towards a conclusion, the Leesiders made the breakthrough.
From a Doherty corner-kick, Cian Coleman rose highest to head home.
UCD almost equalised moments later when a Michael McCullagh shot forced a decent save out of City goalkeeper Bradley Wade.
But ultimately it was the hosts who deservedly held the advantage at the half-time break.
On 49 minutes they almost got a second, as Doherty went close after linking up well with Nathan Wood, with UCD goalkeeper Kian Moore making a fine save.
UCD then had a huge chance to equalise on 58 minutes, when Raggett fired just wide at the near post following a dangerous run into the box. Danu Kinsella Bishop also threatened for the visitors after the hour mark, forcing a good save from Wade.
By the midway point of the second half UCD were growing in momentum and belief that they could get back into this contest. Ciaran Behan was next to go close for the visitors from a well-taken free-kick on 73 minutes.
With less than a quarter of an hour remaining, City introduced 2017 double winner with the club Greg Bolger to try and steady the ship.
In stoppage time and with nerves growing, Cork City were reduced to ten men after Barry Coffey was sent off following a tackle on Behan. Despite a late UCD surge, Cork managed to see the job through and secure the victory.
Clancy and his side travel to take on Longford Town next time out. UCD will hope to get things back on track when they play host to Wexford.
Cork City: Bradley Wade; Harry Nevin, Cian Coleman, Charlie Lyons; John O’Donovan; Barry Coffey, Evan McLaughlin; Cathal O’Sullivan(Niall Brookwell, 86) , Sean Murray(Arran Healy, 66) , Nathan Wood (Greg Bolger, 77); Jack Doherty
UCD: Kian Moore; Alex Dunne(Colin Bolton, 87) ,Éanna Clancy, Harry Curtis , Adam Wells; Adam Verdon, Sean Brennan(Matthew Alonge, 77) ; Michael McCullagh (Jake Doyle, 83), Ciaran Behan, Michael Raggett (Sam Norval, 87); Danu Kinsella Bishop
Referee: Chris Sheehan(Cork).
Elsewhere, Treaty United made it three wins out of three as they ground out a 1-0 victory at Kerry FC.
A tight game was settled in the 67th minute when Yoyo Mahdy fired home what proved to be the winner.
Ryan Kelliher had the opportunity to equalise for Kerry with the last kick of the game after his side were awarded a penalty, but he lifted his effort over the bar.
Finn Harps kept up their good start with a 2-0 win against Athlone Town in Donegal.
Stephen Doherty put the hosts ahead in the 17th minute, with Success Edogun doubling their advantage on the stroke of half-time.
That's how it stayed as Harps went second, two points off pace-setters Treaty.
