League Report: Cobh Ramblers 1 - 5 Galway FC

Galway came from a goal down to comprehensively beat 10-man Cobh Ramblers 5-1 at a chilly St. Colman’s Park on Friday night.

The win moves Tommy Dunne’s side ahead of Wexford Youths and into second-place in the First Division table.

George Gill gave Cobh an early lead but Derek O’Brien equalised before the break with a second half Vinny Faherty penalty putting Galway ahead, two superb strikes from Jake Keegan and Paul Sinnott sealed the win before Keegan added a late fifth.

There were plenty of encouraging signs for Martin Cambridge’s young Cobh side in the first half but the sending off of Martin Deady in the 50th minute killed the game and they still await that elusive first win of the season and remain marooned to the bottom of the table.

Cobh started with a confidence that belied their lowly league position and took the lead after less than three minutes through Gill’s first goal for his hometown club.

The impressive young midfielder confidently tucked away the rebound after Keith O’Flynn’s shot was parried by Galway ‘keeper Conor Gleeson to give Cobh the lead.

After a disjointed opening period, the more physical Galway began to impose themselves on Cobh and had chances to score through Keegan, Martin Connelly and O’Brien before finally getting their deserved equaliser in the 40th minute.

Cobh were the architects of their own downfall as O’Brien capitalised on Seán O’Mahony’s weak backpass to score at the second attempt.

The winger had two further opportunities before the end of the half but the sides went in level at the break.

Galway took the lead with a penalty just five minutes into the second half and it was a real double whammy for Cobh as Martin Deady was also sent-off for his part in the incident.

The Ramblers captain appeared to handle a goalbound Galway effort after O’Brien’s cut-back from the left and Faherty made no mistake from the spot to make it 2-1.

Keegan curled in a cracker with his left foot just three minutes later to give the ten men of Cobh an even bigger hill to climb and the win was sealed for a rampant Galway in the 68th minute when captain Paul Sinnott arrowed a brilliant strike into the top left corner.

Cobh battled on to the final whistle but there was never any chance of the hosts getting back into the game and Keegan rounded Birdsall on his way to adding a late fifth as Galway secured their second away win of the season.   

Cobh Ramblers: Robert Birdsall; Seán O’Mahony, Brendán Frahill, Craig Burns, Martin Deady; Alan O’Flynn (Jonathan Spillane 75), George Gill, Roy Kenny (Chris McCarthy 64), Anthony O’Donnell; Keith O’Flynn (Daniel Barry 83), Rob Waters.
Subs not used: Shane Hallahan (gk), Bobbi Donoghue.

Booked: Sean O’Mahony (68).
Sent off: Martin Deady (50).

Galway FC: Connor Gleeson; Colm Horgan, Martin Conneely (Ross Kenny 87), Alex Byrne, Ryan Manning; Gary Shanahan, Ryan Connolly, Paul Sinnott, Derek O’Brien (Cian Fadden 77); Vinny Faherty, Jake Keegan.
Subs not used: Ger Hanley (gk), Marty Owens.

Referee: Kevin O’Regan

Attendance: 

Extratime.ie Man of the match: Derek O’Brien (Galway FC)