Cobh Ramblers are back at home this week as Wexford Youths visit St Colman’s Park. The Rams were beaten 6-0 by Shamrock Rovers B last time out which sees them lie eleven points adrift at the bottom of the table. Youths on the other hand have been the surprise package of the First Division this year and still remain in the promotion hunt.
After a poor run of form recently, Ramblers will want to get back on track this week and push on for the rest of the campaign. Eoin Hastings remains a long term absentee through injury but Chris McCarthy and Andrew Neville should return after missing the game with Rovers B. George Gill will miss the game through injury though. Eoghan Murphy and Brendán Frahill will miss the tie through suspension.
Wexford Youths lost out 2-1 to Finn Harps last week in the 3rd Round of the FAI Ford Cup. Incidentally, it was Cobh who Harps defeated in the third round last season. Shane Keegan’s men have had an excellent season so far with the likes of Danny Furlong, Ben Ryan and Andy Mulligan all impressing. They have no suspension worries going into the game as they look to catch third placed Galway, one point ahead of them.
The sides have met four times this year with Wexford the victors on each occasion. They won 1-0 in the EA Sports Cup while also winning the three previous league meetings. This is a far cry from last season when Cobh drubbed the South-East side 5-0 on the opening day of the season. Only Robert Birdsall, Alan O’Flynn and Martin Deady remain at the Cobh club from the team that started that day.
Club Captain Martin Deady spoke had this to say regarding the game, “We have all picked ourselves up after the Shamrock Rovers B game and we are looking for an improvement after our last few performances. Wexford Youths will be tough opponents for us and they are having a great season. It won’t be easy for them though in our home ground as we’ve shown this season.”
The other games in the First Division see Galway host Waterford, Finn Harps entertain Shamrock Rovers B and the top of the table clash between Shelbourne and Longford at Tolka Park.
Cobh Ramblers:
Injured: Eoin Hastings, George Gill
Doubtful: None
Suspensions: Eoghan Murphy, Brendán Frahill
Wexford Youths:
Injured: NA
Doubtful: NA
Suspension: None
Venue: St Colman’s Park
Kick Off: 7:45pm
Preview by Thomas Stafford
