Cobh Ramblers 1-2 Cork City – Pre-season Friendly (Match called off at half time)

615The Cork public only got to see half of the local derby this evening as the terrible weather conditions at St Colman’s Park forced the game to be abandoned at half time. The Leesiders were leading Cobh 2-1 at the break before it was decided to cancel the game.

Cobh were missing Alan O’Flynn, Andrew Bhandarkar, Ronan Stanton and Damian O’Rourke amongst others before the game and this meant that Ramblers started the game with no recognised striker. Midfielder Rob Waters occupied the sole position up front. It was clear from the off that the Rams were looking to defend from the front and catch City on the break. Cork meanwhile started with a very strong side. New arrivals Anthony Elding, Billy Dennehy and Liam Kearney all featured.

It was the Rams who had the first chance. Roy Kenny hit the target from just inside the area but Mark McNulty was equal to it. The professionalism of Cork began to show as the game wore on. Colin Healy and Kearney showed their experience throughout. City took the lead on ten minutes. They won a free-kick on the left that was whipped in by Mark O’Sullivan. After a goalmouth scramble, the ball fell to ex-Sligo striker Elding and he finished from close range, to put his side ahead. Just a minute later Cork doubled their lead thanks to the poor conditions. A Ramblers backpass got caught up in the mud and O’Sullivan pounced on it. He raced clear of the defence, rounded Birdsall and calmly finished to put City 2-0 up.

The game got worse as the rain continued to hammer down. Both sides exchanged possession frequently. Mikey O’Shea and Rob Waters showed signs of good link up play for Cobh with the latter going close on numerous occasions. Despite their youth, the Ramblers players looked unnerved by the experience of City. Sadly the conditions didn’t allow for the best of passing
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Roy Kenny and Billy Dennehy almost scored for either side midway through the half but it remained 2-0. Ramblers pulled a goal back on 43 minutes. Mark McNulty’s clearance in the Cork goal fell kindly to Bobbi Donoghue. The young winger showed some of his trademark fancy footwork to beat the Cork defenders before placing a shot with the outside of his boot into the far corner. It was well deserved and put Ramblers back into the tie.
Unfortunately that was to be the last of the action. After the half-time whistle was sounded, the decision was made to abandon the match. The weather was showing no signs of lighting up and it was taking its toll on the pitch.

It’s back to the training pitch for the sides now as they put in their last preparations ahead of the 2014 campaign.

Cobh Ramblers: Robert Birdsall, Adam Thompson, Craig Burns, Brendán Frahill, Anthony O’Donnell, James Carson, Roy Kenny, Mikey O’Shea, Bobbi Donoghue, Martin Deady (C), Rob Waters

Cork City: Mark McNulty, Brian Lenihan, Dan Murray, Darren Dennehy, John Dunleavy (C), Liam Kearney, Gearóid Morrissey, Colin Healy, Billy Dennehy, Anthony Elding, Mark O’Sullivan.

Report by Thomas Stafford

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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.