EA Sports Cup Preview: Cobh Ramblers -v- Limerick FC

COBH RAMBLERS

Cobh Ramblers welcome the visit of Limerick to St. Colman's Park tomorrow evening in an enthralling Munster derby in the EA Sports Cup (kick-off 7.15pm).

The fixture list has not been particularly kind to the Ramblers with this being the meeting of the two sides for the second consecutive time in four days with the home side looking to put behind them the awful memories of a 6-1 drubbing at the hands of the Super Blues at the Market's Field last Saturday evening.

Prior to that game Cobh had made a decent start to the campaign having picked up four points from the first two games as a hard fought 1-0 win away to Shelbourne on the opening weekend was followed up with a bruising 2-2 draw at home to Drogheda United.

Manager Stephen Henderson will be hoping that his side will have moved on quickly from Saturday's humiliation and that they will be capable of going on a bit of a cup run to reignite confidence into the squad and a belief that they can improve on last season’s mid table finish in the First Division.

LIMERICK

Limerick will have no such difficulties with their confidence levels for the trip down to Leeside to face a team that they dismantled with consummate ease over the weekend.

The Super Blues have conquered all before them this season with a 100% record so far having notched a total of 15 goals in their first three league games with some equally impressive displays, they have certainly lived up to all the hype and expectations surrounding them at the start of the season.

With the distraction of a cup game, boss Martin Russell may use this as an opportunity to rest some key players prior to their next league match away to Athlone Town on Saturday and blood some of the players coming through the youth ranks at the club.

Limerick will no doubt be aiming to prolong their winning habit and keep up their impressive form to date. 

Referee: Anthony Buttimer

MATCH FACTS

The Ramblers will go into this game feeling somewhat optimistic, despite the 6-1 thrashing they received from Limerick last Saturday, buoyed on by the knowledge that they have already beaten Limerick 1-0 in the Munster Senior Cup – although that game took place during the Blues pre-season preparations. The Cork side will also hope they will have a psychological edge over their near neighbours having beaten them 3-2 at the same stage in last season's EA Sports Cup. 

Rams boss, Stephen Henderson, has a good record against the Super Blues and his side managed a 0-0 draw in their last league encounter back in 2007 in the First Division in arguably their most successful team in recent memory when they went on to win the League Cup later in the year. 

BETTING

Cobh Ramblers 7/1 Draw 3/1 Limerick 1/3

PREDICTION

Cobh Ramblers 1-3 Limerick

Cobh Ramblers

Injured: Shaun Kelly

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

Limerick

Injured: None

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None