Cobh Ramblers first game of the season resulted in a three nil disappointing defeat at home to Wexford in St. Colemans Park on Friday night.
Cobh Ramblers 0
Wexford FC 3
Cobh Ramblers first game of the season resulted in a three nil disappointing defeat at home to Wexford in St. Colemans Park on Friday night.
Ramblers lined up with a mix of experience and youth with Corey Chambers in goal, Buckley and Frahill, making his 2ooth appearance for the club, at centre half. Lenihan started at right back and Shane Griffin at left back. Abbot and Coleman anchored the midfield with Rhys Gourdie playing in advance of the pair. A front three of Waweru, Osorio and O’Neill completed the attack.
Ramblers started well and went close in the 13th minute after some good work from Kia O’Neill found Rhys Gourdie who fired over. A minute later Wexford broke in a sweeping move down the Rambler’s left and scored through Ryan Richie, on loan from Bohemians.
Wexford began to grow into the game after their opener with Jamie Wynne a constant threat on the left wing. O’Neill found Waweru in the box in the 35th minute but Wexford’s Paul Martin saved well from the resulting shot. O’Neill then had a miscued shot in the 38th minute easily gathered by Martin. Wexford broke again in first half injury time. Earning a penalty after Buckley was adjudged to have fouled in the area. Max Murphy confidently slotted the spot kick home.
At half time Jason Abbott was withdrawn and replaced with Rhy Brennan, on loan from Bohemians, as Cobh looked to move to a more attacking formation. It was Wexford however who increased their lead almost immediately after the break in the 49th minute when another sweeping move resulted in Richie slotting a nice ball into Jack Doyle who finished well.
Wexford looked very comfortable with their lead while being a constant threat on the counter attack. Doyle fired wide in the 50th minute. Ramblers one chance came in the 56th minute when Griffin found Waweru who turned his effort over.
Fran Rockett rang the changes in attempt to get back into the game with a triple substitution on 73 minutes. Lenihan replaced O’Neill, Curtin replaced Griffin and Kelly Noonan replaced Waweru. Carroll replaced Coleman in the 79th minute as Ramblers searched for a goal that would not come. Wexford broke again in the 86th minute when Doyle ran through despite a suspicion of offside. Chambers saved well from the resulting shot.
Throughout Wexford look well organised and physical stronger than the Rams and were good value for their win cheered on by a raucous travelling support. Kaylem Harnett, in particular, stood out in midfield with Dean Larkin at centre half also impressive in the Slaneysiders clean sheet. Kai O’Neill, especially in the first half, was a rare spark on a difficult night for Ramblers.
Reacting after the game Cobh Ramblers Man of the Match Rhys Gourdie said ‘it can’t be much tougher than that… It’s the first game of the season. We’ll have to learn from it.’ Speaking about his decision to re-sign for Cobh for the 2026 season the Scottish midfielder remarked ‘It was all to do with the Gaffer… I love being here, a brilliant place and community.’
Ramblers manager Fran Rockett stated
Disappointing, didn’t see it coming… Wexford deserveall the credit. We were miles off it… I don’t think it can get any worse after what I’ve seentonight. It’s uncharacteristic… we’ve got to take our medicine and move on. To be fair to Wexford they were worth their win tonight. They were outstanding. They were first to ever ball. First to second balls.’ Asked about the younger players in the squad Rockett continued ‘As far as I’m concerned whether young or old, whoever’s on the pitch, they left the club down in terms of the performance. Its learning for them. The potential is there but its only potential… But we turn the page quickly and we move on… Just one of those nights, unfortunately on the opening night of the season with a decent crowd. We got to prepare for Longford and look forward to it’.
Cobh will attempt to get their season up and running away to Longford on Saturday 21st Feb.
Wexford’s next game will be a sterner test as they welcome Cork City to Ferrycarrig Park on 20th Feb.
Piece Written by Kenneth Hickey
Kenneth Hickey is a Cobh Ramblers Season Ticket Holder
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