League Preview: Cobh Ramblers -v- Athlone Town

COBH RAMBLERS

Cobh Ramblers can all but secure their play-off place on Saturday when they host Athlone Town at St Colman’s Park (kick-off is at 7.45pm).

The Rams have enjoyed a fantastic campaign under boss Shane Keegan and sit comfortably in the play-off positions.

And if they see off Athlone on Saturday night they will go ten points clear of fifth placed Longford Town with six games to go.

“Like ourselves, Athlone have had a massive turnaround this year to compete for a play-off spot,” Keegan told his club’s media team this week.

“They’re an interesting case study on how to improve yourself in this league. The pool of players here in Ireland is very small and everyone is after the same guys.

“Athlone have gone down a different route. It was a gamble but it has certainly paid off.

“Frantz Pierrot is getting the headlines but there are a lot more than him. Players who have done outstandingly well in our league. But hopefully they have no success on Saturday.”

Charlie O’Brien will miss out on the game due to his international commitments with the Ireland under-19 squad this weekend in Bosnia.

ATHLONE TOWN

Well aware that a win would nudge them even closer to a play-off spot, Athlone head to the South Coast for the second time in as many weeks.

And they will be hoping that they can replicate their victory from their last trip to the south.

Last weekend, Dario Castelo’s men saw off Waterford 2-1 at the RSC.

Those valuable three points meant that the Blue and Black of the Midlands moved further clear of the chasing pack in the play-off hunt.

And if they win on Saturday evening against Cobh they could even move eight points clear of sixth-placed Longford Town.

Referee: Marc Lynch.

PREDICTION

Cobh Ramblers 1-2 Athlone Town

Cobh Ramblers

Injured: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A.

Unavailable: Charlie O’Brien (international duty).

Suspended: None.

Athlone Town

Injured: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A.

Suspended: None.