Athlone Town 1-1 Cobh Ramblers

Athlone615Athlone, a place that evokes recent fond memories in the history of Cobh Ramblers. Hard to believe that it is five and a half years since a huge contingent travelled up to witness Ramblers capture the First Division title. The circumstances are so different now, so much has happened in the intervening years but we’re just happy to be back! Four of that 2007 squad are still present, namely Davin O’Neill, Mikey O’Shea, Conor and John Meade.

A sizeable contingent of Ramblers supporters made the journey on this occasion, proof if it was needed that the passion for Cobh Ramblers still burns despite the clubs recent travails. This was Ramblers third away game in 8 days, and considering that this would be a big ask of a fully professional club with far greater resources, it makes it the efforts of this team all the more remarkable!

Dave Hill made a number of changes from the EA Sports Cup exit the previous Tuesday with Brendan Frahill, Jonathan Spillane, Roy Kenny and Kynan Rocks all dropping to the bench following their midweek EA Sports Cup exit to Waterford. For Athlone Town ,now managed by the inimitable Roddy Collins, confidence would have been high following their 2-0 win in Wexford last week.

As was the case last Tuesday night, Ramblers started brightly and got their noses in front on 13 minutes when the in form Martin Deady burst into the area only for his run to be stopped illegally. Conor Meade coolly converted from the spot for his 4th goal of the season to the delight of the vocal contingent from Cobh.

Unfortunately for Ramblers they were unable to make it to the break a goal up and conceded on 37 minutes when Ian Sweeney pounced to put the home side level. The major talking point of the second half occurred with 20 minutes remaining, Phillip Gorman, the Athlone Town striker thought he had put the home side in front but his goal was correctly flagged by the linesman who had spotted that the striker and deliberately handled the ball in the run-up to the ‘goal’ and so the home side’s celbrations were cut short.

Ramblers – Robert Birdsall, John Meade, Adam Thompson, Brian Fitzgerald, Gary Collins,, Martin Deady, Mikey O’Shea, Andrew Bhandarkar, Conor Meade, Alan O’Flynn, Davin O’Neill

Subs: Bobby O’Donoghue for Alan O’Flynn (69’)

Unused Subs: Roy Kenny, Jonathan Spillane, Sean O’Mahony, Keith O’Flynn, Brendan Frahill, Shane Hallahan.

Ref: Andrew Mullally

Attendance: 311

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Cobh Ramblers FC

Cobh Ramblers Football Club is an Irish football club. The club, founded in 1922 and elected to the League of Ireland in 1985, hails from Cobh, County Cork and play their home matches at St. Colman's Park. The club's colours are claret and blue.