Cobh Ramblers vs Cork City

• Alan Smith
• Fri, Sep 19 2008




Cork’s two debt-ridden clubs come together in a game which could possibly be the last derby between the two sides. The contrasts between the meeting in St. Colmans Park back in March and tomorrow nights game is massive.

While the fans were immersing themselves in extensive media build-up last spring, they are now exchanging a minimum amount of banter as off-the-field priorities have taken the shine away from the game. Tickets were hard to come by late in the week in March but this time it looks like both the home and travelling support will be small on Saturday night.

With Cobh boss, Stephen Henderson admitting “The bottom line is the club are broke” things are not looking good for the club from East Cork. While he guaranteed that this game would go ahead amid fears that the Cobh players would strike, Henderson added “It’s a slight worry for me too at this stage that we won’t see the season out”. The club are refusing to pay players for the remainder of the season and they could follow neighbours, Cork into examinership.

A win could take Ramblers out of the relegation zone, provided other results go their way. Cork have nothing to play for in the league though and their focus is certainly on the cup competitions and ultimately, survival off the field.

City will be without Cillian Lordan while Pat Sullivan has an outside chance of returning from the ankle ligament injury he sustained against Shamrock Rovers. Denis Behan missed out on Monday night after picking up a knock against Derry City last weekend but he is expected to return and Mark Mc Nulty will look to turn in a solid performance as he tries to make the No.1 spot his own with Michael Devine out injured.

Cobh will be without captain and former City player Alan Carey due to suspension as well as Colin O’Brien who can’t take part because of his loan deal from Cork.

ExtraTime.ie Prediction: It will be close and we can’t see there being too many goals. Cork have nothing to play for while it would be only guesswork to determine how Cobh will play after the past week. It will be an interesting but not spectacular game. A 1-1 draw.