It’s a second home game on the bounce for Ramblers this weekend, as John Caulfield’s Galway United side visit Cobh on Saturday night.
Last week’s 1-1 draw at home to Bray Wanderers means that the Rams are currently three games unbeaten, sitting sixth in the table. Charlie Lyons’ late penalty secured a point following Brandon Kavanagh’s opener earlier in the night.
Galway meanwhile secured a 2-2 draw with UCD in their last outing, and occupy eighth position on three points after four games. While still looking for their first win of the campaign, United have also picked up points against high-flying Treaty and Shelbourne so far in the campaign.
The sides met twice in 2020. Ian Turner’s winner earned Cobh a 1-0 win at Eamonn Deacy Park in September, while an entertaining 2-2 home draw took place in August.
Team News
There are still a number of injury concerns within the Ramblers squad. Caelin Rooney has served his suspension but due to a heel injury will be assessed before kick-off to see if his Ramblers debut can take place. The game is likely to come too soon for Ben O’Riordan while Pierce Phillips and Stephen O’Leary are out for the medium-term. Darren Murphy (achilles) and Conor Drinan will hope to return to action this week, while Regix Madika is a long term absentee with injury.
Former Ramblers midfielders David Hurley and Stephen Christopher will hope to be involved for Galway on the night, having moved to the Tribesmen from Cobh in recent years.
Inside the Camp
Manager Stuart Ashton gave his thoughts on the recent Bray game ahead of the tie
“We’ve grown into the season over the last three games, going unbeaten in those. We can still do better. Last week against Bray we didn’t play as well as we can do. We matched them for effort, for closing them down, we just needed a bit more composure in the final third.
The lads were disappointed to only come out with a draw, having come from a goal behind, which shows great character. Maybe in times gone by we wouldn’t have come out of that situation. We’re taking the positives and we’ve got to keep building on those.
Obviously, we would like more points on the board but it it is what it is. It’s still early doors and hopefully we’ll do that.”
He also looked ahead to Saturday night’s clash
“If we let Galway play, they will. They can be a tough nut to crack. We have to be on our game. We’ve worked on things in training, on how to stop them. These are hard games and everyone has to battle to win the game. One little moment, the bounce of a ball, can make you a loser or a winner.
John will have his team well-drilled, up for the occasion. We’re expecting a good game, a tactical battle.”
Exciting young striker Ciaran Griffin is already making his mark on the League of Ireland, with two goals to his name. He had this to say before the game,
“It’ll be a tough game, we just need to play like we’ve shown in training the last few weeks, and put our foot down at home and hopefully come away with a win.
Ciaran was also asked about the night he capped his Ramblers debut with a goal against Cork City in the Derby,
“I didn’t have words for it then and I still don’t, it was an unbelievable feeling. It wasn’t something I was expecting.”
LOI TV
Kick-off on Saturday night at home to Galway United is at 19:00, with the game being streamed on LOI TV here.
