EA Sports Cup Report: Cobh Ramblers 2 - 4 Limerick FC

Limerick FC advanced to the next round of the EA Sports Cup tonight with victory over their provincial rivals Cobh Ramblers at St. Colman’s Park.

Early goals from central defender Robbie Williams and attacker Stephen Kenny put Martin Russell’s side two goals ahead at the break. Veteran striker John O’Flynn added a further two after half-time on his full debut for the club before Markus Gustavsson pulled two consolation goals back for Cobh in vain late on.

Before the match begun, a humble minute of silence was observed in respect to the tragic incidents in Buncrana and Brussels over the past few days. It was a heartfelt gesture extended by both sides and the spectators present.

Limerick were forced into an early change only three minutes into the match when Liam McCartan replaced the dazed Seamus Sharkey who had sustained a nasty looking head injury.

Minutes later Cobh ‘keeper Eoghan Daly produced the first save of the match to deny a well hit Shane Tracy free-kick, as Limerick began intently.

Robbie Williams forced the visitors into the lead on the quarter hour mark. He competed for another Tracy delivery, only for the unfortunate Cobh defender Shane O’Connor to head into his own net under severe pressure from Williams.

The Limerick pressure was relentless and soon after the delicate visiting attacker Stephen Kenny drove home an unstoppable effort from just inside the area to give his side a two-goal cushion over their beleaguered hosts.

Cobh at this stage must have been fearing a repeat of their 6-1 routing in the Markets Field on Saturday evening, however, they managed to maintain parity for the remainder of the opening half and they even managed to test Freddie Hall in the Limerick net via a Stephen Christopher free-kick.

Having missed a number of first half chances, former Cork City, Barnet and Exeter City man John O’Flynn wasn’t going to pass up any further chances in the second half as he opened his account for the night shortly after the interval.

His quick fire double ensured the win for the Blues. His first was a flicked effort from a precise Gárbhan Coughlan cross, while his second was a real poacher’s goal. He then tapped home following Ross Mann’s drive which had been saved, but fumbled by the Cobh stopper.

Limerick continued to dictate the pace and tempo of the match, as an endeavouring Cobh Ramblers outfit fought to the bitter end.

Kenny, and Mann had further opportunities to extend the lead to five and firmly gain revenge for last month’s Munster Senior Cup defeat at the same venue.

Just as one sensed another goal for the Limerick men, Cobh grabbed one to add a look of respectability to the score line. Swedish striker Markus Gustavsson notched home his first of the night from 12 yards following Hall’s concession of a spot kick.

Gustavsson added a second to his account just three minutes later. His low effort was allowed to go into the net by Freddie Hall’s comedic error, whereby he allowed it to slip through his hands and then under his feet, before it ended up in the back of his goal.

The last ten minutes was played at a pretty pedestrian pace with Limerick looking to consolidate their lead and not concede any further goals.

Cobh Ramblers: Eoghan Daly; Graham McCarthy, Andy O’Connell, David Curran, Shane O’Connor; Stephen Christopher (Eoin McGreevy 77), Stephen Griffin (Rob Lehane 77), Chris McCarthy, Ian Mylod; Markus Gustavsson, Cory Galvin (Cian Kingston 66). 

Subs not used: Paul Hunt (GK), Jason Abbott, Evan Galvin.

Booked: S O’Connor (17). 

Sent off: None

Limerick: Freddy Hall; Séamus Sharkey (Liam McCartan 3), Paudie O’Connor (Paul O’Conor 57), Robbie Williams, Colm Murphy; Lee-J Lynch, Shane Tracy, Stephen Kenny, Garbhán Coughlan, Ross Mann; John O’Flynn (Jordan Moore 63). 

Subs not used: Tommy Holland (GK), Shane Duggan, Aaron Greene, Chris Mulhall.

Booked: S Kenny (83). 

Sent off: None

Referee: Anthony Buttimer (Cork).

Attendance: 100 (estimate)

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Shane Tracy (Limerick FC)