It’s the battle of ‘Claret and Blue’ this Saturday night at St Colman’s Park as Cobh Ramblers meet Drogheda United for the first time since September 2008, a tie that finished 0-0 at United Park. It’s Cobh’s first home game of the 2016 season, and a tide of optimism has clearly entered Cork Harbour in what could be a promising year for Ramblers.
The Rams come into the tie in a buoyant mood following an impressive 1-0 win away to Shelbourne during the campaign’s opening weekend. Evan Galvin grabbed the winner for Cobh that night and the former Burnley trainee is already making headlines since signing from Waterford United in the off-season. The Louth side also come to Cork on the back of a win, beating Waterford 2-1 last time out thanks to goals from Sam O’Connor and Eoin Kirwan. Whilst the season is still very much in its infancy, these two sides are already showing signs of clubs in the hunt for promotion.
Ramblers remain without the injured Jonathan Creamer (cruciate) and Stephen Christopher (knee) for the game. Goalkeeper David Browne and James Furlong are also doubts but Jimmy Griffin should return to the side after missing the trip to Shelbourne. Stephen Henderson has no suspension worries.
Meanwhile, Drogheda welcome back Sean Thornton and Stephen Dunne from suspension. Sean Brennan is a doubt for Pete Mahon’s men whilst Adam Wixted, Lloyd Buckley and Marc Griffin are unlikely to be involved.
Saturday’s game brings back fond memories of 2014’s Enda McGuill Cup final when Cobh’s u19 side beat Drogheda 3-2 at St Colman’s Park, a scoreline that Rams fans would gladly take again.
Cork’s Red FM recently launched their partnership with Ramblers and Shane O’Connor spoke with ‘Big Red Bench’ presenter Ruarà O’Hagan about the Drogheda tie. The ex-Ipswich Town man is clearly optimistic ahead of the clash, “I’ve played Drogheda a number of times and it’s always been a tough game against them. They’ll be coming down here expecting to win after their win over Waterford but this is our home turf and we’re confident of getting the three points. It’s not going to be easy but we’ve worked hard all week in training and we’re in a good place at the moment.”
With promotion favourites Limerick already setting the pace early on in the division, neither side will want to play catch-up this early in the season and it should make for an entertaining clash at the Great Island venue.
The match is sponsored by Cork Metal Co. Ltd. while Bernard Power Carpentry is the match ball sponsor.
Preview by Thomas Stafford
