Cobh Ramblers u19s returned to league action following the Christmas break with a 2-0 win over Mervue United today. Goals either side of half-time from Brendan Kenny and Stephen Christopher ensured that the Cork club started the new year with a win.
Cobh were on top from start to finish and looked comfortable from the off in what was a relatively one-sided game. Stephen Christopher was the first to try his luck from close range but Mervue ‘keeper Peter Healy saved well. Exciting winger Shane Daly-Butz was a constant threat all game and almost gave his side the lead when he forced Healy to make a decent save after a mazy run into the box. Danny Barry and Christopher continued the Rams onslaught in the first half hour but the deadlock could not be broken. Christopher then cannoned the cross-bar with a ferocious half-volley as Cobh upped the tempo. Lone striker Brendan Kenny had an ambitious bicycle-kick cleared off the line before Kenny himself finally broke the deadlock on the 45 minute mark. Some neat build-up play found the unmarked Kenny in plenty of space and he tucked the ball past the ‘keeper from close range. An acrobatic celebration followed as Ramblers took the lead on the brink of half-time.
Cobh started the second half as they had finished the first and doubled their lead on 55 minutes. Stephen Christopher produced a fine strike from 25 yards that rocketed past Healy in the Mervue goal and into the bottom left-hand corner. The Rams looked to be cruising at this stage and more goals seemed on the way. Mervue did improve to their credit but Eoghan Daly was rarely tested in the Cobh goal. Adam O’Sullivan and Dylan Walsh were impressive at the back for the Rams and dealt with everything thrown at them. Yousef Mahdy and Joe Hynes attempted to bring Mervue back into the game with some promising play but it was proving difficult. They forced numerous corners however Ramblers dealt with them confidently. Danny Barry and substitute Ryan Goldsmith pressed late on to add to Cobh’s tally but 2-0 was how it finished on a bitterly cold day at St Colman’s Park.
Winger Shane Daly-Butz played an important role in the victory and had this to say after the game, ” We’re all delighted to get back to a winning start after the Christmas period. It was a good team performance by everyone today. We’re positive that our good form will continue on into the next few crucial games starting next week against Cork City and that we can push into the play-off spots.”
Cobh will be pleased no doubt with the result but they had plenty of chances to put the game beyond doubt and improve on the 2-0 scoreline. Otherwise it was an impressive team performance overall. The win sees them climb to 6th in the table on 16 points. They have four wins, four draws and four losses to their name after 12 games in a very competitive division. Next week sees the Rams make the short trip to Cork City for the eagerly anticipated derby with their local rivals.
As for Mervue, they remain in 10th position on ten points. They host league leaders Waterford United next weekend at Fahy’s Field.
Cobh Ramblers: Eoghan Daly, Dylan Walsh, Kevin McNally, Adam O’Sullivan, David King, Chris McCarthy, Danny Barry, Shane Daly-Butz (Charlie Fleming 87), Dion Hennessy (Ryan Goldsmith 70), Stephen Christopher (Ben O’Riordan 77), Brendan Kenny (Alex O’Brien 85)
Substitutes: Patrick Cronin, Ruairà Cotter
Mervue United: Peter Healy, Moise Assogba, Maurice Nugent, Ben Adeyemo (Eoin Curry 50), Tony McHugh, Darren Murray, Brian O’Connor, Chris Carroll, Yousef Mahdy, Ryan Forde, Joe Hynes
Substitutes: Aidan Coyle, Andrew Connolly, Mikey Fox, Alan Murphy, Robert Spelman, Eoghan Kelly
Report by:Â By Thomas Stafford
