Gameweek five sees Ramblers’ second home game of the season as John Caulfield and Ollie Horgan bring their experienced Galway outfit to St Colman’s Park. It’s a clash of the top two at this early stage of the season as the division’s top scorers Galway face the meanest defence in Ramblers and we should see a St Patrick’s Day clash to remember.

Ramblers come into the game on the back of that hugely impressive 3-0 win at Treaty last week, Jack Doherty scoring a brace after a Wilson Waweru opener. Galway demolished Kerry 9-1 in Eamonn Deacy Park in their last outing.

Similar to opening night, Ramblers manager Shane Keegan comes up against a former club of his, having managed the Connacht men for the 2017 and 2018 campaigns. Cobh defender Charlie Lyons also comes up against his former employers, having re-joined the Rams from the opposition in January. For Galway, midfielder David Hurley of course needs no introduction having come through the Ramblers set-up. Carrigaline native Rob Slevin is also on their books, with the former Finn Harps and Cork City man having once worn the claret and blue of Ramblers at U17 level in their inaugural year in the national leagues.

Shane Keegan gave his thoughts this week ahead of the game,

“We’ve had a hugely successful few weeks with four points on the road in two very tough matches. Against Longford we weren’t at our best, far from it, but we improved in the second half and picked up a deserved point. Last week against Treaty was another tremendously close tie but we managed to come away with a superb 3-0 win. Last year we probably would have lost both of those games, this season we have more mental resolve, more doggedness and we’re managing to come out on top in close games. At some stage there may be a spell of games where we don’t come out on top of these marginal close games and we’ll take these results while they go our way. 

For me Galway look the best team in this division. They scored nine goals on Friday, they’ve put together a very strong squad including bringing back Colm Horgan. Colm was my captain when I was at Galway and he’s a huge addition to their dressing room. It’s going to be a very difficult task. 

I hope we have a good crowd on St Patrick’s Day and I think there will be. The town of Cobh is putting on a great day with the parade, the fireworks display and hopefully we can create our own fireworks in St Colman’s Park. Given how well we are going we have to think we can take something from this game and push on.“

It’s all set for another exciting night ahead at St Colman’s Park with plenty on the line even at this early stage of the year.

Kick-off on Friday is at 17:00 with match tickets on sale here. Spectators are encouraged to purchase tickets online ahead of the tie. The game will also be streamed live on LOITV.

It’s a quick turnaround for Ramblers who then face Treaty on Monday night in Jackman Park in the Munster Senior Cup semi-final, a fixture that should see plenty of the extended squad see some gametime.

By Thomas Stafford