Wilson Waweru scored for the second successive game as Cobh Ramblers secured a 2-0 victory over Kerry FC at St Colman’s Park to climb to third in the First Division.
The final game at St. Colman’s Park before the mid-season break was played between Cobh Ramblers and Kerry FC on a pleasant summer evening. The introduction of an ice cream van and the healthy turn out by travelling Kerry fans lent a somewhat holiday atmosphere to the game build up. As events would prove the Rams were most definitely not already ‘on the beach’.
For one of the few times this season Cobh manager Fran Rockett was able to name an unchanged side with centre halves Cian Coleman and Garry Buckley still missing through injury. Shane ‘Little Griff’ Griffin was only fit enough for the bench.
Cobh came into the game on the back of two wins, in fourth place, trailing UCD in second by 2 points. Kerry came into the game after rescuing a point in injury time at home to Bray Wanderers after being two nil down. They were in 9th in the league on 16 points.
There were familiar faces in the Kerry team as ex-Rams Cian Murphy and Cian Bargary returned to St. Coleman’s Park for the first time since they helped Ramblers to finishing second behind Dundalk in the 2025 season. Former Ram Jonas Hakkinen was also in attendance but was not fit enough for the match day squad.
Right from the whistle Cobh were on the front foot with Scotsman Rhy Gourdie scoring within 3 minutes. Shane Griffin, making his 50th appearance for Cobh, headed the ball clear from Ramblers defence where Abbott helped the ball onto Dylan McGlade whose clever pass found Gourdie free 8 yards out. He finished well past Connor for his second goal of the season. On eight minutes Rhys Brennan raided down the right wing, in what has become a familiar sight this season, before cutting into the box but his shot went narrowly wide.
In a half that was even in terms of possession Kerry lacked any attacking quality with Ramblers defence playing well, limiting their opponents to very few chances. Cobh always looked more dangerous particularly on the break. Kerry suffered a further setback when Ryan Kelleher had to be substituted after only 16 minutes with what looked like a serious injury. He was replaced with Eric Koufie.
On the half hour Cobh doubled their lead. Luka Le Bervet broke forward feeding Gourdie who switched the ball onto Brennan, once again breaking into the right side of the box. His initial shot was saved by Connor, but Brennan fed the ball to Waweru who was on hand to bundle the ball home from close range. It has been a difficult season in front of goal for the former Sligo Rovers forward, but he now has scored in each of the last two games.
Two minutes later the Rams had another chance as Brendan Frahill got a free header from close range after a scrappy corner, but he couldn’t generate enough power, and Connor held the ball well. On 40 minutes Waweru broke through the Kerry defence again. Connor saved the miscued shot with his feet when the Cobh striker really should have scored. Brennan’s follow up lob from distance sailed narrowly over the bar.
On the stroke of halftime Connor in the Kerry goal had to be at full stretch to palm away an Oran Crowe cross which was sailing towards the top corner. Moments later a poor clearing header from the Kerry defence found Brendan Frahill on the edge of the box. His powerful strike from distance sailed agonisingly over. Man of the Match Frahill was excellent throughout at the centre of the Cobh defence and is certainly benefiting from an extended run in the starting lineup.
In the second half Kerry came more into the game but took until a 65th minute to create any chance of note with a Eric Koufie header from 5 yards, following an O’Connell corner, which was well held by Martin. Moments later Abbott was replaced by Shane ‘Little Griff’ Griffin for Ramblers. Ex-Ram Cian Bargary was forced off for Kerry in the 73rd minute with what looked like a hamstring injury. Ryan Perez replaced him. Four minutes later Ramblers brought on Mikey Carroll for Oran Crowe and Rhys Kelly Noonan for Wilson Waweru.
With 12 minutes to go Koufie had another chance as the ball fell to him just outside the 6-yard box after a scramble in defensive. His shot, although on target, was not powerful enough to beat Martin. On the 84th minute Daniel Okwute had a strike from distance that didn’t trouble the Ramblers keeper. A minute later Brennan once again broke into the Kerry box, and his cross come shot narrowly missed the bottom left corner of Connor’s net, also eluding McGlade at the far post.
Ethan O’Donovan came on for Rhy Gourdie in the 87th minute for what was the 15-year old’s first home appearance in the League of Ireland. The Clonakilty teenager had previously become the youngest player to ever play senior League of Ireland football for Cobh Ramblers away to UCD at 15 years, 4 months and 17 days. The highly rated striker scored 28 goals in 24 games for the under 15s in 2025 and has been promoted to the senior squad.
With a minute to go in regulation time Okwute skipped past a few challenges to have another strike form distance. Again, Martin wasn’t troubled by the shot. Kerry almost had a consolation goal deep in injury time when Timo Martin came to claim a O’Connell free kick but collided with his defender Shane Griffin. As Ramblers tried to clear Brockwell angled a good header goalward clipping the crossbar as it went over.
The result moves Ramblers up to third on 28 points, 2 behind second place UCD and 14 behind league leaders Cork City. Kerry FC remain in ninth on 16 points.
Line Ups
Cobh Ramblers: Timothy Martin; Brendan Frahill, Shane Griffin, Wilson Waweru (Rhys Kelly-Noonan 76’), Rhys Gourdie (Ethan O’Donovan 87’), Dylan McGlade, Rhys Brennan, Lucas Curtin, Oran Crowe (Mikey Carroll 77’), Luka Le Bervet, Jason Abbott (Shane Griffin 68’).
Kerry FC Team: Matthew Connor; Sean O’Connell, Kilian Cantwell (Daniel Okwute 60’), Sean McGrath, Ryan Kelliher (Eric Koufie 16’), Cian Murphy, Samuel Aladesanusi, Matthew Britton (Cian Brosnan 60’), Niall Brookwell, Ewan Lee, Cian Bargary (Ryan Perez 73’).
Referee: Ryan Maher
Post Match Interviews
Man of the Match Brendan Frahill was happy with his night’s work. ‘It was a good performance. We knew it was going to be a tough game against Kerry, it always is. So, we’re very happy now going into the break with three points.’
Frahill expressed his happiness at his run of starts in the team. ‘I’m delighted, absolutely delighted. Obviously, everyone wants to be playing but not everyone can, so last year was tough but it was just a matter of being professional and staying positive.’
Of the season so far Frahill said ‘there’s been some ups and downs this year, we’ve got some bad losses but I think the good thing about this team is there’s some big characters in the change room and come Monday after a loss, we can turn the page and just get the heads back on it.’
Cobh manager Fran Rockett was equally happy. ‘I thought we were excellent from start to finish. I thought we were really, really good and I think we deserved it. I thought there was just that maturity to our performance. There was just an energy about the room when we had our chat before the game.’
Looking forward to the second half of the season with Ramblers in third Rockett said ‘Delighted, really, really delighted. I still think there’s a lot more in it, a lot more in this group.
We still have boys who are injured as well to come back. I think it’s been a really productive first half of the season, if I’m being honest. We’ve had ups and downs like any season but I
think the resilience and the bounce-back ability of them is key. It seems like everyone’s pulling in the same direction. We’re defending as a unit from 1 to 11. Things take time, I’m a new manager coming into it as well, it takes a while. Look, it’s only the first half of the season, we haven’t done anything yet, but we’re in a really positive place. I was delighted to see the fans there as well because I think it was important to get a win on a lovely night like tonight’.
Rockett was full of praise for goalscorer Waweru. ‘Wilson’s been struggling with his Achilles, he’s got an operation done and it’s going to take a while to come back. The ball just didn’t fall his way in certain games this season, but his attitude was excellent this week in training. You can see that those levels are coming back to him. His attitude, his work ethic, his endeavour has been really top drawer, I couldn’t be happier for him.’
Asked about the injury prognosis for Cian Coleman and Garry Buckley Rockett stated ‘I think after the break we should have a full complement for the Longford game. I think the most important thing with these players, with the older ones, you don’t have to watch our back with any of them. They’re running the dressing room in their own way and having little chats with players.’
Turning to the summer transfer window Rockett said ‘we’re always looking to strengthen and that’s an area we’ve been talking about, it’s something we’re going to explore. When we know a bit more you’ll be the first to know’.
Rockett also wanted to give a special mention to 15-year-old Ethan O’Donovan. ‘His attitude, even the way he ran in certain areas, he’s not running silly, there’s an intelligence there, but I’m really happy with him, good physical size and attitude as well’.
Next up for Cobh Ramblers after the midseason break is an away tie at Longford Town on Saturday June 13th. Kerry FC faces Athlone Town at home on Friday June 12th.