League Preview: Cobh Ramblers -v- Kerry

COBH RAMBLERS 

Cobh Ramblers host strugglers Kerry on Friday night in a Munster derby at St Colman’s Park (kick-off is at 7.45pm).

Ramblers ended a wretched losing streak last weekend away to Athlone Town and can now start to look forward to next season with excitement again.

But their boss Gary Hunt wants to ensure his side do not lose their focus as the battle for seventh place with Treaty United rumbles on.

Cobh are eighth in the table on 38 points with Treaty on 39.

“We want to finish the season strongly,” he said. “We’ll reassess ourselves at the end of the season but first and foremost we’ll look forward to Kerry.

“We were very disappointed to go out of the FAI Cup a couple of weeks ago against Kerry and there’s definitely a motivation there to put it right.

“Hopefully we get good support behind us because the lads deserve it.”

KERRY 

Kerry visit St Colman’s Park on Friday night with a purpose about themselves again as they look to avoid finishing bottom of the First Division.

The Kingdom are level on points with basement side Longford Town but are ahead of them on goal difference after a draw against Finn Harps at home last weekend.

They also have good memories of their last trip to Cobh, winning there 2-0 in the FAI Cup.

“Cobh’s results of late may not appear the best but that doesn’t paint the full picture,” Kerry boss Conor McCarthy said. “They are a very good side, they’ve been to Athlone recently and got a great result. We know they are a very good side, well organised and have great talent so it’s a tough task. 

“We will need to be disciplined like we were against Finn Harps last week to get any sort of a result up there. We are looking forward to the trip but will have to be at our very best to come out of Cobh with a positive result.”

Referee: David Dunne.

PREDICTION

Cobh Ramblers 2-0 Kerry

Cobh Ramblers

Injured: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A.

Suspended: Charlie O’Brien.

Kerry

Injured: Ryan Kelliher.

Doubtful: Cian Barrett, Samuel Aladesanusi. 

Suspended: Ronan Teahan.