Cobh Ramblers were defeated 3-2 by local rivals Cork City in an entertaining game at St Colman’s Park. Conor Ellis put City ahead in the first half and Darren Murphy doubled their lead early in the second half. Ryan Goldsmith pulled one back soon after but it looked to be in vain when substitute Kieran Kavanagh made it 3-1 to the Rebels. Cobh replacement Jonathan Creamer made it 3-2 late on but Cork held on for a win which keeps them in touching distance of leaders Shelbourne.
Having beaten their rivals twice already this year, Cobh were hoping to complete a clean sweep over the Rebels in all competitions. City needed to win in order to keep their chances of retaining the league title alive.
Cork started the better of the two sides. The talented duo of Conor Ellis and Greg Harte caused Cobh trouble from the start. It was the latter who had the first real chance of the game but he hit the side netting from close range. Anthony McAlevey almost put his side ahead with a terrific close range volley but it somehow went over with perhaps a touch from Cobh keeper, Steven Hickey. Chris McCarthy and George Gill played well in the first half for Ramblers and made their presence felt through some tough tackles in the middle of the park. It was the visitors who took the lead on 40 minutes thanks to a Conor Ellis strike. He raced ahead of the Cobh defence onto a through ball and beat the oncoming Hickey with a neat finish. This put Cork a goal up going in at half time.
It was 2-0 on 50 minutes when the Cobh defence failed to deal with a corner and City captain Darren Murphy tapped in at the far post. It was very nearly game over soon after when a poor Cobh backpass landed at Harte’s feet but he shot straight at Hickey in the Ramblers goal. The Rams gave themselves a lifeline after 63 minutes thanks to a Ryan Goldsmith goal. His shot from the edge of the area found the back of the net but really Cork keeper Cian Woods should have done better. The game got more open from then on. Passes went astray and the game got stretched. Cian Murphy was forced off for the Rams and they had to reshuffle. Chris McCarthy went into centre back and Danny Barry came on up front. Cork scored their third of the night on 78 minutes. Sub Kieran Kavanagh found himself unmarked at the near post and produced a superb volley to put daylight between the sides. Cobh began to press more and George Gill went close with a speculative long range volley. This pressure paid off on 90 minutes when substitute Jonathan Creamer made a fabulous run into the box and cooly finished past Woods in the City goal. This was his seventh of the league campaign but his first since the start of January against Shelbourne. The referee blew up soon after and it was Cork who won the bragging rights in this derby game.
Cork are now just two points behind leaders Shelbourne with the same amount of games played and a better goal difference. Cobh are four points of the relegation zone with two games left to play (St Pats away and Bray at home) so they will need to pick up at least two points in those games to make sure of their safety.
Next weekend sees Cobh travel to St Pats on Sunday. Cork City must make the trip to Salthill Devon on Saturday. With still plenty to play for, these last two weekends of league action will be crucial .
Cobh Ramblers: Steven Hickey, Corey Crowley, Ryan Meany, Cian Murphy (Danny Barry 72), Cian Kelleher, George Gill, Rob Lynch (Jonathan Creamer 52), Chris McCarthy, Dave Walsh, Ryan Goldsmith, Keith O’Flynn (C)
Cork City: Cian Woods, Aaron O’Donovan, Timmy Murphy, Corey Long, Darragh Corcoran, Darren Murphy (C), Anthony McAlevey, Cian Coleman (Kieran Kavanagh 50), Greg Harte (Rakib Moussa 75), Conor Ellis, Ryan Downey
Report by Thomas Stafford
