Report: Galway United 0-1 Cobh Ramblers

Cobh Ramblers secured a precious win in their bid to avoid the drop as Graham Cummins' early goal was enough to secure victory at Terryland Park over a worryingly impotent Galway United side. Now two points adrift at the bottom, Jeff Kenna's side are staring relegation in the face after this inept performance.

Galway conceded after only ninety seconds of Kenna’s first home game in charge against Bray Wanderers, and once again some shocking defending cost them dearly in the opening two minutes. Cobh owned the ball from the kick-off, as the home side failed to realise a game had just kicked off. After 9 or 10 passes, Alan Carey decided a cross was in order. His ball was flicked into the path of lone striker Graham Cummins, alone in an acre of clear ground within the penalty area, and he calmly slotted past Gary Rogers as the United defence appealed in vain for offside.

Unsure of how to deal with Stephen Henderson’s 4-5-1 formation, Galway were overran in the opening quarter as Cobh countered at pace at every available opportunity, with Cummins leading the line well. Cummins set Michael Mulconry away down the right wing but his threatening cross was cut out by Rogers.

Galway’s early efforts were best summed up by Gary Deegan’s shot from outside the box which ended up as a throw-in for the visitors. Kenna was constantly barking instructions at his misfiring side, as their performance to that point was only confirming their status as the bottom team in the division.

Out of nothing, Mark Leech almost conjured an equaliser on 26 minutes, but after spinning his marker from Regi Nooitmeer’s throw, the Dubliner proceeded to round the keeper but his route to goal was cut off by the covering defenders and all he could gain from the chance was a corner. The disappointingly small home crowd were beginning to come to life.

Jay O’Shea was given a chance to stretch his legs when Shane Barrett and Brian McCarthy collided to give the winger some free space down the left to run into. His second touch was poor though as he entered the box, and Kevin Murray sheparded the ball to safety.

The Herculean efforts in gaining no points away to Bohemians had obviously taken their toll on the home side, and the half ended with a whimper as Alan Carey tried his luck from a long range free that caused Rogers no problems. The only positive note from a dire first half was the announcement of a home draw in the League Cup quarter final with Bray Wanderers. At that point, an upcoming friendly with Leeds Utd looked a particularly depressing affair between a team stuck in League One and a team who look to be heading towards the abyss of Division 1.

The “ninety second curse” almost struck Galway again after the restart as Cummins was gifted a chance but volleyed straight at Rogers from close range. Derek O’Brien threatened to drag his side back into the game, but wasted separate opportunities to cross and shoot after some bright approach play. Ramblers were never less than comfortable though, and Carey and John Kearney both had chances from free-kicks on the edge of the box blocked by the wall.

Increasingly the home crowd’s frustrations turned on referee Mark Gough, whose decisions ranked as bizarre on occasion and may result in another standing down, but the Limerick native was not the cause of Galway’s travails. Against a part-time outfit who had made a five-hour journey on a working Monday, the full-time outfit looked far from professional. An inability to create shooting chances has dogged this side since their return to the Premier Division, and it showed no signs of letting up tonight.

A chance of sorts was created on 67 minutes when John Russell’s in-swinging corner only needed the slightest touch to divert it goalwards, but O’Shea couldn’t propel himself high enough to apply the finish. Cobh nearly killed the game off completely with a breakaway ten minutes from time. Cummins once more provided the threat, racing onto Kearney’s through ball from half way. With only Rogers to beat, the striker opted for accuracy, but could only guided the ball narrowly wide of the right hand upright.

Wes Charles was pushed into the attack in the dying embers of the contest, and created a chance that may haunt Mark Leech for quite some time. With three minutes remaining, Charles muscled a defender out of the way and his deflected effort bounced up for the striker on the edge of the six yard box, but amazingly he managed to volley over when a goal may have salvaged something from a terrible performance.

The final whistle ended the agony for the home fans as Cobh celebrated with glee. A visit from league leaders St. Pat’s is next up for Galway. A miracle is required to rescue this sinking ship.

Galway United: Gary Rogers; Reg Nooitmeer, John Fitzgerald (Ollie Fenn 83), Wes Charles, Marc McCulloch; Jay O’Shea, Gary Deegan, John Russell, Derek O’Brien; Mark Leech, Derek Glynn (Vinny Faherty 59).
Subs not used: Alvin Rouse, Jonathan Keane, Paul Sinnott.

Booked: Nooitmeer, O'Brien.

Cobh Ramblers: Anthony Fennelly; Alan Carey, Kevin Murray, Brian McCarthy, John Meade; Gareth Cambridge, Micahel Mulconry, Shane Barrett, John Kearney, Davin O’Neill; Graham Cummins.
Subs not used: Alan King, Declan Cahill, Alan Kearney, Roy Long, Ray Lally.

Booked: None.

Referee: Mark Gough.

Attendance: 779

Man of the match: Graham Cummins (Cobh Ramblers).