Dylan McGlade’s first-half finish proved decisive as Cobh Ramblers edged Athlone Town in a tightly contested First Division clash at St Colman’s Park.
Cobh Ramblers 1
Athlone Town 0
The deadlock was broken in the 35th minute after Kai O’Neill took down a floated header in the box from the Athlone defence. He took on his man and squared the ball to Rhys Kelly-Noonan who failed to convert. Fortunately, the ball fell to Dylan McGlade who converted with absolute ease.
Cobh had the first bite of the cherry five minutes in after Jason Abbott brought down a lofted ball to Rhys Gourdie, Gourdie then slipped Rhys Kelly-Noonan in. The Cobh striker did well, but made the angle too tight for himself, hitting Stuart-Trainor square on.
The first glimpse of Athlone’s quality was a free-kick from thirty yards, after a great passage of play from The Town. However, Aaron Moloney couldn’t muster enough to beat the wall.
Athlone’s next chance came eighteen minutes in, after Gradi Lomboto’s shot after another excellent passage of play was narrowly deflected wide by Cian Coleman’s behind. Kyle O’Connor was unable to make anything of his corner.
Dylan McGlade is there at the back post to put the hosts in front! pic.twitter.com/mAXt67l5De
— League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) May 15, 2026
It was clear after twenty-two minutes Athlone had gained control of the encounter.
Lomboto had another chance in the 28th minute on the counter, but ultimately had too many bodies to get through, which ended with his shot blocked.
Shortly after Athlone had the best chance of the game so far, after Brian McManus cheated the ball down to hit on the volley. The shot look destined for the top right-hand corner, but Timothy Martin pulled off an unbelievable save to deny the midfielder.
Shortly after the goal, Kai O’Neills displayed some incredible control, skilling past two Athlone men, unfortunately his low crossed effort was met by no Cobh Ramblers player and instead Stuart Trainor.
The game then opened up, with both sides regularly getting shots off on the stroke of half-time.
It was the one change made at half-time between the two sides, as Athlone took off Thomas Considine in place of Aderinsola Adewale on the right-flank.
The first chance of the second-half came in the 58th minute after Rhys Gourdie narrowly missed his chance to put his side two up after a low crossed effort.
In quick succession, Athlone had their own chance from a cross this time from deep via Kyle O’Connor, Cillian Tollett leaped high but only directed it at Martin.
It was Tollett again, in the 71st minute this time, that was unable to convert after Lomboto’s cross trickled along the floor of the box. Tollett’s effort was a poor one as it was forever rising.
As the tie entered it’s final stages, Ramblers became more compact, while Athlone’s searched for a winner, working the ball out wide.
Six minutes before time elapsed it looked certain Cobh would double their lead, but Stuart Trainor pulled off an outstanding save to deny McGlade.
Despite Athlone’s efforts, truly they never seemed destined to equal the score in the dying embers.
Overall neither side impressed and a draw was probably a very fair ending, but Cobh Ramblers will not be complaining about the result.
Man of the Match – Rhys Gourdie: It was Rhys Gourdie that was the catalyst to the great attacking moves by Cobh Ramblers, drifting in between the lines in order to slip in his teammates, which he did in abundance. This is without talking about the immense effort he put in the crossing and out of possession department.
Cobh Ramblers(4-2-3-1): Timothy Martin: Brendan Frahill, Cian Coleman (Lucas Curtin 72’), Shane Griffin, Luka Le Bervet: Oran Crowe (Brian Linehan 81’), Jason Abbott (Shane Griffin 72’): Kai O’Neill (Anthony Adenopo 63’), Rhys Gourdie, Dylan McGlade: Rhys Kelly-Noonan (Wilson Waweru 72’).
Booked: None
Athlone Town(4-2-3-1): Andrew Stuart Trainor: Jonathan Kehir (Reece Webb 77’), Evan O’Connor, James Crawford, Kyle O’Connor: Aaron Moloney, Brian McManus: Thomas Considine (Aderinsola Adewale 46’), Callum Cleary(Robert Lyons 77’), Patrick Ferry(Cillian Tollett 57’): Gradi Lomboto.
Booked: Jonathan Kehir, Gradi Lomboto.
Referee: Glen Geraghty