The final evening of March brings with it an intriguing clash between the seaside clubs of Cobh Ramblers and Bray Wanderers. It’s a case of third hosting second and these two sides will be pleased with their 2023 outcome to date. The Rams come into the game on the back of last week’s 2-2 draw at Finn Harps. After a poor first half showing in Finn Park, Ramblers fought back with Jack Doherty notching two goals, bringing him to five for the season as the league’s top scorer.

It was our first trip to the Donegal venue since 2018 and it’s hard not to be pleased with another point on the road. Bray were 3-2 victors at home to Wexford last week, leaving them the only other unbeaten side along with runaway leaders Galway United. Former Wexford boss Ian Ryan has blended a new-look squad together. Having brought the likes of Conor
Crowley and Conor Davis up the east coast with him to Bray, he has also recruited the impressive former Shamrock Rovers centre back Cole Omorehiomwan while ex-Drogheda striker Chris Lyons has been a regular threat to Ramblers over the years. Their main man at the minute
however is 20 year old striker Ben Feeney. The former Cabinteely man grabbed two in the win over Wexford bringing him to four for the
campaign. The sides’ last meeting was a 5-1 Ramblers win on the final day of the 2022 season at the Carlisle grounds.

Manager Shane Keegan gave his views earlier this week on recent results and looked ahead to this exciting battle,

“We’re determined to give a better account of ourselves than our last home game against Galway. That was our poorest display of the season to date. Galway are a strong side and they don’t make it easy but we were disappointed with ourselves in front of such a good crowd that night. Bray is another very difficult one. I’d be amazed if they don’t finish in the top three this season. It’s up to us to give a performance and see if that gives us the points. 

Since that Galway game we have had two positive results. We went up to Treaty the following Monday and with eleven changes the players on display duly delivered to put us into the Munster Cup final.

We then went up to Finn Harps on Friday and after an awful start, which was annoying given all our preparation in the 24 hours previous, we came away with a draw. We had no excuses for the two very sloppy goals and the players knew at half time that it was not acceptable. They went out determined in the second half and they really showed the character they have. Harps were hanging on and we were unlucky not to win in the end. Hopefully that character will stand to us.”

The Rams have a full squad to pick from for the game. Kick-off on Friday is at 19:45, with the game also being streamed live on LOITV here. Tickets can also be purchased online prior to kick-off here.