Cork Derby Preview

Ramblers are in Cork Derby action this Friday night, visiting neighbours Cork City in Turners Cross.

The game is our first since the departure of Darren Murphy and his backroom staff. Cobh Ramblers Academy Director, Ivan Bevan will take interim charge for the game, along with Ken Hennessey, U19 coach Damien Rowe and U15 coach David O’Leary.

The Rams come into the game on the back of last week’s defeat to Wexford, while City drew 1-1 at Longford in their last outing. The sides’ previous meeting was a thrilling 3-2 Cork win at St Colman’s Park back in April, and the Leesiders have won both fixtures between the clubs so far this year. The two clubs were also drawn against each-other in this week’s FAI Cup first round draw.

In terms of squad news, Pierce Phillips will miss out having gone off injured against Wexford. Beineón O’Brien Whitmarsh, Conor Drinan and Dale Holland are also fitness concerns.

Interim manager Ivan Bevan spoke ahead of the tie, “In five days we aren’t going to change much. There’s no need to motivate the lads, it’s a huge game. We’ll try to get the players organised, get a plan together and see what we deliver on Friday night. I know the vast majority of the squad from my time around the club. They’ve all bought into this, morale is really good.

We need to stay in the game for as long as possible. We need to protect the ball more, keep it when we have it and we need to score more. Goals change games. We have the talent to create chances.

It’s disappointing that we are where we are, but we can’t change that. Everyone wanted it to succeed. We need to build our way back now. On the field we haven’t shown the quality that we have, we hope that we can on Friday. We’re under no illusions but we think we can get something from the game.”

The game is available to watch live on LOITV here.

Match tickets are available to buy online here.

Kick-off on Friday is at 19:45 in Turners Cross.