First Division round-up: Cobh close in on playoff spots with win over Longford, while Athlone claim draw in thriller with Kerry

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Jack Larkin scored the winner for Cobh Ramblers against Longford Town Credit: Eddie Lennon (ETPhotos)

Cobh Ramblers moved to within two points of fifth-placed Finn Harps with a narrow 1-0 victory over Longford Town. 

Gary Hunt’s Ramblers have flattered to deceive at times this season but will be buoyed by their proximity to the playoff places as a result of their victory over basement side Longford. 

But it was a tough slog for the St Colman’s Park outfit as they needed a second-half strike from Jack Larkin to win. 

And Cobh’s night was made better after Finn Harps fell on the wrong side of a slim 2-1 defeat at home to Bray Wanderers. 

Shamrock Rovers loanee John O’Sullivan opened the scoring for the Seagulls after 25 minutes. 

The Co Donegal side levelled three minutes before the half-time break as Jamie Watson equalised. 

But Wanderers boosted their own playoff hopes with a second-half winner from Spanish midfielder Guillermo Almirall. 

Meanwhile, Athlone Town scored twice late on to salvage a point at home in a six-goal thriller with Kerry at Lissywollen.



The Kingdom led 3-1 heading into the final five minutes of normal, but they were pegged back to draw 3-3. 

Former Kerry attacker Leo Gaxha opened the scoring for the Co Westmeath side just past the half hour mark.

Conor McCarthy’s side were level as early as the 37th minute with midfielder Oran Crowe scoring his first goal for the club.

Andy Spain, previously on the books of Athlone, handed Kerry the lead on the stroke of half-time, while striker Ryan Kelliher made it 3-1 in the 58th minute. 

But Athlone rallied and reduced the deficit to the bare minimum in the 85th minute when Brian Torre netted. 

And then Dylan Hand found the equaliser in the 89th minute to salvage a draw and extend Athlone’s unbeaten streak to six games. 



At the UCD Bowl, 255 spectators watched on as UCD and Wexford shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw. 

Netting for Wexford was Darragh Levingston when a heavy deflected effort had Kian Moore collecting the ball from the home goal.

But a wonderstrike from UCD’s Eanna Clancy early in the second half levelled the game and concluded the scoring for the evening. 

Elsewhere, Treaty United hearts were broken by a 97th minute Charlie Lyons equaliser as Tommy Barrett’s men were denied a huge victory over table-topping Cork City.  

The Leesiders are virtually assured of the First Division but were on course for a narrow defeat after Mark Byrne gave the Shannonsiders an early second half lead.

But Lyons’ last-gasp leveller denied Treaty a priceless three points and claimed a 1-1 draw for City.

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