A Dylan McGlade brace helped Cobh Ramblers to a crucial 3 points at Mounthawk Park.
Kerry FC 1
Cobh Ramblers 2
Cobh Ramblers and Kerry FC on the surface are very different clubs but they have more in common than first impressions would suggest. Ramblers are a club steeped in a 104 year history, with the last 41 of those in the League of Ireland, while Kerry FC have only been in existence for 4 years. Despite this there is much that link the two clubs. Both would be perceived as smaller provincial clubs operating in the shadow of their larger Munster neighbour Cork City.
This was a big game for two teams desperately in need of points to move up the table after a slow start to the season. With both clubs on 6 points, with Kerry in 8th one place above Ramblers in 9th due to a better goal difference.
After their dismal night in Dublin last time out Ramblers manager Fran Rockett dropped Jason Abbott and Rhy Brennan to the bench with Brian Linehan and the returning Gary Buckley included from the start. Upfront Rhys Kelly-Noonan replaced Wilson Waweru.
Kerry started the brighter with energy and focus. A well worked short corner in the 7th minute found Cian Bargary in the box but he directed his header narrowly over the bar. Bargary, who was dangerous throughout, had a shot from distance in the 17th minute but it was comfortably saved by Timo Martin in the Ramblers goal. As the half wore on Kerry’s early endeavour began to wane and Ramblers grew into the game.
In the 31st minute Ramblers academy graduate Brian Linehan was forced off through injury and was replace by Bohemians loanee Rhys Brennan. Ten minutes later the substitute would be involved in Cobh taking the lead. In the 43rd minute ex-Kerry player Oran Crowe broke through on the edge of the box and slid the ball to Brennan who was taken down from behind by Kerry defender Sean O’Connell. Referee Dowling immediately pointed to the spot. Dlyan Mcgalde stepped up and confidently put Cobh in front sending Kerry goalkeeper Harry Halwax the wrong way as he tucked the ball neatly into the bottom left corner.
After the break Ramblers started with far more purpose and quickly had their reward. Two minutes after the restart Rhys Gourdie broke on the right and feed the ball to McGlade in the box who finished emphatically from ten yards out for his second, doubling Cobh’s lead. As the second half wore on Ramblers largely had the upper hand. In the 56 minute Lucas Curtin beat Cian Bargary on Kerry’s right to check into the box to unleash a shot that was well saved by Halwax.
In the 63rd minute Bargary, the ex-Ram, returned the favour by checking inside Curtin and striking from the edge of the box. His shot took a wicked deflection off the head of Cobh defender Frahill leaving the stranded Martin no chance. Somewhat against the run of play Kerry were back in the game.
The goal spurred Kerry into life, who after a very slow start to the half, were now more on terms with their opponents without creating a lot of chances. In the 76th minute Vincent Borden had a header saved by Martin. As Kerry pushed for an equaliser Ramblers Luxemburg goalkeeper would prove his worth with an excellent double save in the 86th minute. Borden once again got his head on the ball in the box directing his effort to the top right corner of the goal. Martin at full stretch clawed it away. The ball fell to Ryan Kelliher whose shot from close range was brilliantly saved by Martin with his legs to ensure Ramblers’ lead remained intact.
Kerry had one final lifeline when in the 96th minute Noall Brookwell claimed for a penalty after a coming together in the Cobh box. Dowling confidently waved the appeals away and Ramblers hung on for a vital three points.
The result moved Ramblers up to 7th on nine points with Kerry dropping to the foot of the table, where themselves and Treaty United are locked together in joint 9th place.
KERRY FC: Harry Halwax, Cian Bargary, Kilian Cantwell, Niall Brookwell, Jonas Hakkinen, Sean O’Connell, Vincent Borden, Arran Healy, Sean McGrath, Eric Koufie, Cian Murphy. Subs: Ryan Kelliher for Koufie (ht), Brandon Bermingham for McGrath (ht), Cian Brosnan for O’Connell (63), Ewan Lee for Cantwell (63), Luke Palmer for Murphy (75)
COBH RAMBLERS: Timothy Martin, Lucas Curtin, Callum Honohan, Brendan Frahill, Brian Linehan, Oran Crowe, Gary Buckley, Mikey Carroll, Rhys Gourdie, Dylan McGlade, Rhys Kelly-Noonan. Subs: Rhys Brennan for Linehan (inj, 31), Wilson Waweru for Kelly-Noonan (inj, 67), Jason Abbott for Carroll (81), Anthony Adenopo for McGlade (81)
REFEREE: Robert Dowling
Post Match Interviews
Cobh manager Fran Rockett reflected on the big win for Ramblers, ‘The players deserved it. For their application and coming through the hard times over the last month or so. There’s been a lot of talk about injuries. But we’ve got to worry about the players that are actually playing. And they were absolutely phenomenal from start to finish. But their application in every training session, all of it. They never, ever gave up. They never didn’t believe. They just showed character like they showed today. It’s a fantastic environment we’re trying to create. And they’re a fantastic group of players.’
Rockett was full of praise for two goal Dylan McGlade. ‘I’m not sure there’s too many more influential players with the ball at their feet in the division, who can get bums off seats and he’s extraordinary at that. A fantastic character. Being able to take the ball, he has the courage you want. Like many of the players tonight, he was outstanding.’
Lucas Curtin also came in for praise. ‘I was delighted because Lucas showed that courage to get on it. But not just to pass it. He was dribbling inside the pitch. He was going down the line. He was giving them something to think about. But his quality, his strength. When he’s in full flow, he’s a very hard man to get the ball off. But his quality in possession. I think he ran more than any player tonight with the ball.’
Cobh goalkeeper Timo Martin’s big double save in the dying minutes also drew praise. ‘The work Noel Cantwell [Ramblers goalkeeping coach] has been doing with Timo. The relationship they have. When you have two of the best goalkeepers in the division with Corey Chambers as well. It’s awful having to leave out someone like Corey Chambers. But when Timo does things like that as well. He probably makes the decision at times a little bit easier. He’s top class.’
Looking forward to Monday’s game against Treaty United Rockett stated ‘we’re back in Sunday morning now and all systems go. I told the boys, enjoy tonight but I love when players are in the dressing room saying to themselves, let’s go again. Back to back wins’.
Rockett also directly appealed to the Cobh Ramblers fans ‘We know we’re going through a hard time. And we like people to understand and give it a little bit of context at times as well. And stick with them. And you see some of the young lads playing tonight. Mikey Carroll in the middle of the park. Lucas Curtin. Callum Honohan. And then you have Rhys Brennan coming off the bench getting that penalty.’
Next up for Cobh Ramblers is a home tie against Treaty United while Kerry FC travel to league leaders Cork City.
Both ties will be played on Monday 6th of April at 5pm.
Kenneth Hickey is a Cobh Ramblers Season Ticket Holder