PREVIEW: Cobh Ramblers vs Galway Utd

An air of freshness prevails around the Eircom league this week! New start, new season, new prime time television highlights package and a new website! Friday night was another dramatic night so therefore it is with a sense of eager anticipation, the Eircom Premier Division bandwagon rolls into St. Colemans Park for the clash of Cobh Ramblers and Galway United tonight.

Probably very early season to stage a must win encounter! However it probably seems this way for manager’s Stephen Henderson of Cobh and his counterpart Tony Cousins of Galway after a pair of opening day defeats for both sides.

However to look at the bare results in the context of tonight’s clash would probably not tell the full story of how both camps performed last Friday night week.

Galway despite playing host to title contenders Bohemians at Terryland Park last week, were disappointing. The way Neale Fenn held off Regimillio Nooitmeer for the night’s only goal will not have pleased the Galway faithful. It in some respect epitomised their night and Tony Cousins will look for a more hearty effort on the Tribesmen’s visit to the Island.

Cobh on the other hand took great heart from their opening night performance against Finn Harps in Ballybofey. No doubt Stephen Henderson will be disappointed with the loss – but his encouragement will be two-fold. Firstly the manner in which Cobh played the game with some swift passing will be of great encouragement – especially as the conditions were not particularly conducive to good football. This factor should make Cobh an entertaining team to watch over the course of the season. However that will count for nothing if they don’t survive in the Premier this year. And Cobh’s battling second half display will give the Ramblers faithful great heart. Kevin Murray’s scrambled effort put Cobh back in the game after falling two-nil behind . Indeed Cobh were unlucky that a late chance didn’t see them pick up an opening point.

In terms of a likely result tonight – two main factors have to be taken into consideration. Cobh had an excellent home record on their march to the first division title last season. This, one would think would make them favourites tonight – however it should be taken into account that the Tribesmen are certainly no-mugs on their travels and its was largely their ability to win away from home that kept them in the Premier Division last season.

Neither side have any apparent injury doubts arising from the pair of defeats last weekend. Cobh – due to a good performance may not wish to change the team too much but Alan Kearney’s excellent impact after coming on as a late substitute may see him push for a place in the starting line up. Tony Cousins will surely make a few changes to his line-up after their somewhat disappointing opening display but if selected he will be looking for more of a cutting edge in their midfield and attack with John Lester and Derek Glynn pivotal to this

It certainly makes for an intriguing clash at St. Coleman’s park tonight – and kick off is at 7.45.