League Preview: Cobh Ramblers -v- Galway United

COBH RAMBLERS

Cobh Ramblers will be looking to overtake Galway United and move to the top of the First Division when they host the Tribesmen at St Colman’s Park on Friday evening (kick-off 5pm).

The Rams are coming into Friday’s game off the back of a good 3-0 thumping of Treaty United last week – Jack Doherty was on the double after Galway Untied loanee Wilson Waweru opened the scoring.

That result leaves them in second place in the First Division after four games with Shane Keegan’s men unbeaten so far.

“We’ve had a hugely successful few weeks with four points on the road in two very tough matches. Against Longford we weren’t at our best, far from it, but we improved in the second half and picked up a deserved point,” Keegan said, speaking to the club’s media team.

“Last week against Treaty was another tremendously close tie but we managed to come away with a superb 3-0 win.

“Last year we probably would have lost both of those games, this season we have more mental resolve, more doggedness and we’re managing to come out on top in close games. “At some stage there may be a spell of games where we don’t come out on top of these marginal close games and we’ll take these results while they go our way.

“For me Galway look the best team in this division. They scored nine goals on Friday, they’ve put together a very strong squad including bringing back Colm Horgan. Colm was my captain when I was at Galway and he’s a huge addition to their dressing room. It’s going to be a very difficult task.”

GALWAY UNITED

The Tribesmen have started the season brightly with four wins on the trot – including a vital win away to Waterford at the RSC two weeks ago.

Last time out they hosted Kerry for the first time ever in the League of Ireland with United brushing Billy Dennehy’s side easily romping home with a 9-1 win.

There was a first half hat-trick for Ed McCarthy and a brace each for Ibrahim Keita and Stephen Walsh with Rob Slevin and Francely Lomboto chipping in with a goal each.

Now they move on to face the second placed team in the First Division that have conceded just one goal.

“I know from experience how difficult it always is to get a result in Colman’s Park, Shane has Cobh in flying form, defensively they are very solid they’ve conceded less goals than anyone in the league,” manager John Caulfield said, speaking to the club’s website.

Referee: Eoghan O’Shea

MATCH STATS

Galway United are unbeaten in their last ten meetings with Cobh Ramblers – that’s a stretch of games going back to the 2019 season.

Both sides are unbeaten after four games in this year’s First Division.

Cobh Ramblers have conceded just one goal so far this season, with Galway conceding two.

PREDICTION

Cob Ramblers 1–2 Galway United

Cobh Ramblers

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Galway United

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.