League Report: Cobh Ramblers 0 - 2 Treaty United

Dylan O’Connell reports from St Colman’s Park

Treaty United’s fairy-tale 2021 season continued on Saturday evening as they beat Cobh Ramblers 2-0 at St. Colman’s Park, a result which moves them up to second in the table.

A deflected free-kick from Charlie Fleming and a close-range shot from Matthew McKevitt in the second half moved the Shannonsiders to within eight points of league leaders Shelbourne.

While the result belongs to Treaty, it was Cobh who actually dominated this Munster Derby in East Cork.

The home side went close to taking an early lead when Ian Turner twisted free and fired at goal from just outside the penalty area, forcing a low save from Tadgh Ryan.

Ramblers were clearly inspired by their recent run of form, which has seen them pick up back-to-back victories over Cork City and UCD.

Pierce Philips was dogmatic in the centre of the park, with the midfielder battling to every ball, and Jake Hegarty nearly constantly pressing the Treaty back four.

Unfortunately, the possession could not get the team a goal, as Anthony O’Donnell and Sean Guerins held their ground, which meant no route into the penalty area.

In such a narrow pathway, Lee Devitt tried his luck from distance, and this shot spun wide.

Treaty, who were without a shot on target in the entire first half, were handed a penalty on the stroke of half time when Joel Coustrain was brought down inside the area.

Kieran Hanlon stepped up and blasted a low shot at the far-right corner of the goal, but Sean Barron saved.

There wasn’t much time to be disappointed, as Treaty went ahead seconds into the second half when a free-kick from Fleming clipped the head of Darryl Walsh and deflected in,

Cobh tried to respond, by moving Conor Drinan into a more forward position in midfield. This nearly paid off, as he got free to place an inch perfect cross into the path of Ian Turner. Ryan was the quickest to act and he swallowed the ball before the winger could get a touch.

Treaty had a claim to a second penalty midway through the second half after Coustrain looked to have been tripped in the box. Referee Oliver Moran waved it on and yellow carded the winger for simulation.

Cobh tried through every avenue to get in for an equaliser. Walsh had the best chance when he connected with a corner ball, but this went over.

But despite the Cobh pressure, Treaty broke, with Willie Armshaw powering free. The substitute pulled back and laid the ball off to McKevitt, who fired in from close range.

Cobh Ramblers: Sean Barron; Lee Devitt Molloy, Charlie Lyons, Ben O'Riordan, Darryl Walsh; Jake Hegarty, Darren Murphy, Pierce Phillips, Ian Turner (Ciaran Griffin 80); Conor Drinan, James McCarthy (Killian Cooper 58).

Subs not used: Corey Chambers, Nathan Coleman, Cian Murphy, Stephen O'Leary, Christopher O'Reilly, Kevin Williams.

Booked: Ben O’Riordan (90).

Treaty United: Tadhg Ryan; Anthony O'Donnell, Marc Ludden, Charlie Fleming; Callum McNamara, Edward McCarthy (Clyde O'Connell 65), Matt Keane (Alan Murphy 89), Joel Coustrain (William Armshaw 73), Joe Collins; Kieran Hanlon (Matthew McKevitt 83), Sean Guerins.

Subs not used: Edmond O'Dwyer, Jack Lynch, Adam Foley, Shane Cusack.

Booked: Anthony O'Donnell (33) ,Joel Coustrain (60) ,Clyde O'Connell (68) Marc Ludden (79).

Referee: Oliver Moran

Attendance: 100.

extratime.com Player of the Match: Joel Coustrain (Treaty United).