FAI CUP Report: Killester United 3 - 0 Cobh Ramblers

Killester United became the second non-league side to advance into the third round of the Irish Daily Mail FAI cup after a deserved three nil victory over Cobh Ramblers at Hadden Park after goals from Mark O’Connell, David Lacey and Dylan O’Driscoll.

The opening minutes of the game saw both sides struggle to settle, but it was Cobh who had the game’s first effort after an Adam O’Sullivan cross was headed over the bar by Rob Waters, moments later Waters found himself with another opportunity but he could not test Keith Donohue in the Killester goal.

Despite Cobh being the first side to settle Killester were quick to find their stride, first a good ball from Dylan O’Driscoll found Mark O’Connell who laid the ball off to Darren Kavanagh but his attempted cross was easily cleared.

Minutes later Sean Rodgers though he had scored when his curling effort from the edge of the Ram’s box sailed just past Eoghan Daly’s far post and wide. Killester continued to create chances and O’Connell will feel he should have done better after some head tennis deep in the Cobh half before the ball fell to him but his touch allowed Daly to come and gather possession.

Killesters O’Connell again forced Cobhs Daly into action when his low shot from the left edge of the box forced keeper into a smart save. As Killester continued to push for the game’s first goal, Fran Mathews delivered two dangerous free kicks in quick succession however United players failed to trouble the Ram’s defence.

As the first half was coming to an end Cobh gradually began to create chances again, first a cross from Stephen Kenny was easily gathered by Killester keeper before Waters fired over a header from a dangerous Stephen O’Connor cross.

With seven minutes remaining in the half, Killester had a huge shout for a penalty after the ball appeared to strike the Cobh defender's arm from an O’Driscoll shot, referee Simon Rogers waved play on.

When the sides emerged from the dressing rooms after halftime it was Killester who were quick to settle back down to play and three minutes into the second half they took a deserved lead after Rogers headed the ball down to O’Driscoll and his cross was headed home from six yards by O’Connell.

After taking the lead, Killester continued to create chances to extend their lead, Darren Kavanagh fired over before goal score O’Connell fired over Daly’s goal. As the Killester defence stood strong and determined Cobh’s first chance of the second half arrived a third of the way into the half after Waters fired a shot that went closer to the side-line than the goal posts.

On the stroke of the hour, Eoghan Murphy gave away a dangerous free kick to Killester 30 yards from goal, but Mathews failed to test the keeper. Cobh’s best chance of the half arrived moments later when Kenny played a long low ball to O’Connor who then found Waters but his volley said wide of Donohue’s goal.

Killester winger O’Driscoll had a guilt edged chance to double the home side's lead when a cross from David Lacey, but his attempt sailed wide from 10 yards out, however minutes later the games second goal arrived after Lacey found himself battling with a hesitant Daly in the air for a ball before the ball fell kindly to the striker who side footed a shot into an empty net from 16 yards out.

After the second goal Stephen Henderson’s Cobh side had a look of resignation and Lacey will feel he should have done better when one on one with the defender but he failed to control possession.

Cobhs finally chance of the came when Kenny went on a mazing run but his shot forced a good save from Donohue in the Killester goal.

As the game approached the 90th minute Killester will feel they should have extended their lead further when first David Fitzsimons forced a good save from Daly before Ken Curley fired a free header over the bar from 8 yards out.

With the game in injury time, O’Driscoll put a gloss on a great result for the Dublin 5 side when his shot with the outside of his right foot sailed into the far corner after some great work from Lacey to who laid the ball off to O’Driscoll.

Killester United: Keith Donohue, Sean Rogers, Adam McCormack, Mick Kelly (Mark Ryan 74), Darren Kavanagh, Jay Donnery, Fran Mathews, Ken Curley, Dylan O’Driscoll, David Lacey (Paul Graydon 90+2), Mark O’Connell (David Fitzsimons 65).
Subs Not Used: Liam O’Dwyer, Mark Ryan, Eoin Mooney, Keith McCracken, Stephen Ryan.

Booked: D O’Driscoll (39), Adam McCormack (80).

Cobh Ramblers: Eoghan Daly; Adam O’Sullivan, Eoghan Murphy, Brendan Frahill, Kevin Mulcahy (Ryan Goldsmith 63), Stephen Kenny, Darren A Murphy, Chris McCarthy, Kynan Rocks, Rob Waters (Ronan Stanton 70), Shane O’Connor.
Subs Not Used: Stephen Hickey (gk), David Curren, David King.

Booked: Stephen Kenny (23), E Murphy (59).

Referee: Simon Rogers

Attendance: 300 (estimate)

Extratime.ie Man of the match: Dylan O’Driscoll (Killester United)