League Preview: Cobh Ramblers -v- Drogheda United

COBH RAMBLERS

The Rams will be going into this game off the back of their surprise 1-0 away victory against Shelbourne, which signalled The Claret and Blue Army intent for the season.

Stephen Henderson has managed to really galvanize (no pun intended) his side with the acquisition of brothers Evan and Cory Galvin from Munster rivals Waterford United, as well as bringing in Rob Lehane from Cork City alongside former Longford Town goalkeeper Paul Hunt, which could see the Leesiders as dark horses for promotion.

Captain Kevin Mulcahy is a doubt after picking up a hamstring injury during the week as well as Anthony O’Donnell, has he picked up an injury in Tolka Park last Friday night.

While Jonathon Creamer may be back training, he will defiantly miss the game has he is still recovering from a cruciate ligament injury. Stephen Christopher, James Furlong and David Browne have all returned from their recent injury and will be hoping to return to the matchday squad.

DROGHEDA UNITED

Drogheda also come into this game off the back of a win against last season’s bottom side in the First Division, Waterford United 2-1.

Drogheda have done a complete squad overhaul of their squad but without a doubt the biggest loss for Pete Mahon’s men was Irish international Keith Tracey, who left the Louth side to move to St. Pats during the Winter months.

While many were shocked by the home sides victory against Shelbourne last week, Pete Mahon said there was nothing surprising about it;

“I said before the season began that I felt Cobh were the dark horses in the First Division so I wasn’t surprised by Friday’s result. I think it’ll be a very difficult place for teams to go so if they continue to pick up results on the road, they’ll be a real force.

“We will go there looking for the win and that’s the attitude I want to instil in the players. It would be fantastic to get six points from six but we did that last season and it didn’t count for much. It’s a relatively small season in terms of fixtures so we need to treat each game as an opportunity to pick up three points.

The away side welcome back Sean Thornton and Stephen Dunne from suspension. Lloyd Buckley, Adam Wixted and Marc Griffin have returned to training but they are not fit enough to play Saturday night. Sean Brennan will be looked at before the game.

Referee: Simon Rogers

MATCH FACTS

The first time these two sides played each other was back in 1998 in St. Coleman’s Park, with Cobh Ramblers coming away with a 2-0 victory.

The teams have played each other a total of 17 times, with Drogheda winning 10 of those game, Cobh winning two and the other five games ending in a draw.

2008 was the last time was the last time these two played each other and it was a Premier Division clash that day in United Park, it finished 0-0

BETTING

Cobh Ramblers; 8/5, Draw; 23/10, Drogheda United; 6/4

PREDICTION

Cobh Ramblers 1-1 Drogheda United

Cobh Ramblers

Injured: Jonathon Creamer.

Doubtful: Kevin Mulchay, Anthony O’Donnell.

Suspended: None.

Drogheda United

Injured: Lloyd Buckley, Adam Wixted, Marc Griffin.

Doubtful: Sean Brennan.

Suspended: None.