Ramblers are in FAI Cup first round action this weekend, taking on Leinster Senior League side Liffey Wanderers. The game takes place in the UCD bowl, home of Cobh’s fellow First Division side UCD.
For Ramblers it’s the start of a new era, with new interim manager Darren Murphy taking charge for the first time. The former Stevenage midfielder steps up from his role as U19 manager, with Fran Rockett and Conor Meade among his backroom team.
Liffey Wanderers will be a familiar name to many Cobh fans, having beaten Cobh Wanderers on penalties in the 2017 Intermediate Cup Final at the Aviva. Since then Liffey have achieved promotion to the Senior Sunday division, the top tier of LSL football. They currently sit third in the table, having won two of their opening three league outings.
The Rams’ last tie against an LSL side was in the 2016 FAI Cup, a year we reached the quarter-finals. Cherry Orchard visited Cobh that season, with Ramblers winning 2-1. Ben O’Riordan made his debut that day and is the sole survivor from that Cobh squad, having made 119 appearances to date.
Ramblers come into the game on the back of a 1-0 win over Cabinteely, thanks to Conor Drinan’s late header. John Kavanagh and David O’Leary made welcome returns from injury last time out. Regix Madika remains absent this weekend while Pierce Phillips and Darryl Walsh are doubts.
Darren Murphy spoke to the assembled media and is looking forward to the tie and knows it will be a tough test,
“We’ve done our homework. We’ll prepare the lads as best we can and all we ask is that they go out and give 100%. A cup run would be great for the club but we aren’t looking that far ahead. We’ve a job to do on Sunday. The players like these games, it’s a challenge but it’s a tough game.
It’s the FAI Cup. Any team at this stage of the competition is a good team and has to be taken seriously. I’ve been around the Intermediate Cup with these teams. They have a lot of great players, players who for different circumstances can’t play League of Ireland but are well able.”
Kick-off on Sunday afternoon is at 14:00, with the game being streamed live on LOITV here
