The new leaders of the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division Derry City face the first challenge of their position tonight as they travel to take on Galway United tonight.
The only other game tonight sees their main title rivals Shelbourne face a Dundalk side itching to play a game after being on the sidelines for most of this month.
Just 10 points separates the top six sides in the division stretching from the Candystripes to the Tribesmen in sixth as they clash.
Despite some teams having just eight matches left, anything remains possible in a league where every side has something to play for.
City were not overly impressive in winning in Waterford, but did enough in a victory that will give great confidence.
The Candystripes have not looked like title winners in recent weeks, yet they could put themselves in a excellent position if they can bank three points in Eamonn Deacy Park.
Few sides take away a maximum return from the west but that is what Ruadhri Higgins is targeting.
Higgins revealed a massive setback during the week with the news that Cameron Dummigan is set to miss the rest of the campaign due to an injury picked up last week.
They have had plenty of setbacks this year and the manager is confident his side can cope.
Higgins told the Irish News: "It’s part of football and going into the business end of the season it will give someone else an opportunity to step up.
"It’s a blow to him and a blow to us but we have genuine quality in that area, albeit different types of players, but I’m sure we’ll be OK.
"It’ll be a very similar squad to last week that’s available."
Ronan Boyce is back in training to at least bring some comfort.
Galway have been a difficult opponent for City, famously winning in the Brandywell earlier in the year as one standout result.
He feels his players will warm to this time of the year, however.
"We’re on the home straight and we have experience in our dressing room with lads who have been there and done it," he told the Irish Mirror.
"We have staff who have been there and done it. It’s really exciting and it’s to be embraced. It’s a privilege and we’ll crack on."
Dundalk were very aggrieved at having their game with St Patrick’s Athletic postponed at last notice last week.
It means they had three weeks waiting for a game in total.
While doing so, they watched on as not only did Drogheda United get the win needed to move above them, but also improved their goal difference by seven in the process in a remarkable scoreline last week.
A stuttering Shels side will travel to Oriel looking to get back to winning ways in the league, something which Daly knows will make it a tough night for his players.
"They’re a very good side who are fighting for a league title and they’ve literally just gone off the top of the league so I’m sure they’ll be looking to get back there as quickly as they possibly can," he said.
"They’ve recruited well during the window. When you take someone like Will Jarvis out of any team then it’s going to be a huge blow but they’ve brought in Harry Wood, Ali Coote and Aiden O’Brien so they’ve got some good options in the forward areas.
"They’ve got some good experience at the back and they’re solid in the middle of the park so they’re a very good, well organised and structured team.
"They probably haven’t won as many recent games as they would have liked to and they’ve dropped points but they’ll be looking to try and get themselves back going again to try and finish strongly and give themselves the best chance of winning the league.
"It’s our job to ensure we stop that and we get three points ourselves and help ourselves to get out of the situation that we’re in."
Bobby Faulkner, Paul Doyle (both hamstring) and Dara Keane (groin) are injured while Jad Hakiki will also miss out due to the terms of his transfer from Shels in July.
Sean Boyd and Dean Williams are nearly back for Shels while John O’Sullivan is definitely available.
Damien Duff is not looking at their recent results as a burden on his side as they look to move back to top spot.
Last week’s 1-1 draw with Bohemians extended the run of no wins in the league to four.
There is no panic in Tolka Park, Duff claims.
"There’s no hangover or negative reaction to last Friday. At the end of the day, it was a Dublin derby against a difficult team with dangerous players. The real disappointment is probably that we’ve dropped other silly points over the last six weeks weeks, rather than in a very tight Dublin Derby.
"It’s a time to be really optimistic; I said it last week, we’re in an unbelievable position. Is there pressure? No, I don’t think so. Beyond what we place on ourselves, there’s no pressure.
"We probably won’t know until Friday night [what impact Dundalk’s break has had], but I’d still rather be playing football matches. Three weeks is an awfully long time. Jon will have them really well-prepared and on it. We won’t disrespect them or their league position—that’s a false position really.
"Look at their quality and their home form, they don’t deserve to be where they are in the table. Oriel Park is as tough a place as anywhere in Ireland to go and get a win. We know how difficult a task it is and we know it will take a massive performance from us to get a result."
