Every once in a while the fixture gods cast their eyes on Cobh and throw up a cup tie to savour. This year they unprecedentedly blessed us with a double FAI Cup Weekend in St Colman’s Park. Following Cobh Wanderers’ tie with First Division side Limerick, Cobh Ramblers entertain 2018 League of Ireland champions and FAI Cup holders Dundalk.
Ramblers come into the game in fine form. Unbeaten in four, league leaders Shelbourne fell to a Matt Lamb header in added-time last week. 2018’s EA Sports Cup semi-final win over the Lilywhites gives Vinny Perth’s men reason to be wary and one has to go back to 2006 to find Dundalk’s last win on the Great Island.
The Louth side enter the tie on the back of a 1-0 loss away to Slovan Bratislava in the Europa League, and face them in the second leg of the tie on Tuesday in Oriel Park. Europe has turned their focus away from domestic matters of late but Sligo Rovers on April 12th were the last side to turn them over on domestic soil.
In team news, midfielder Greg Henry returns while it is hoped that striker Cian Leonard and defender James McSweeney will be involved having missed last week.
Dundalk are back in Europa League action on Tuesday and one expects their coaching staff to rotate with that in mind. Nevertheless, such a strong roster will prove a huge test for Stuart Ashton’s young squad.
Club captain Paul Hunt is eagerly anticipating the clash, speaking to the club’s media earlier in the week,
“There’s a real buzz around at the moment with us going four games unbeaten. We’re playing some nice football and picking up results. We’re really looking forward to it and honestly believe we can win. We did it last season and there’s no reason it can’t happen again.
I hope we have a big crowd behind us because last year showed how that can help against the big teams. Whatever happens, we’ll give everything for the badge over the ninety minutes.”
This week sees Dundalk face ties in Bratislava and Cobh. An intense and intimidating battleground. And Slovakia was tough too…
#CRFC
