League Preview: Cobh Ramblers -v- Shelbourne

• Fran Reilly
• Fri, Apr 17 2015




COBH RAMBLERS

Following the fortuitous manner in which Cobh Ramblers came away from the RSC with a point last week, Stephen Henderson will once more oversee a stern challenge as Shelbourne travel to St. Colman's Park. 

Waterford United were doubly aggrieved not to have taken all three points against the Rams – firstly in seeing Anthony McAlavey's stoppage time goal ruled out as referee Michael O'Connor had already pointed to the spot for a foul on Shane Nolan; and secondly, when Willie John Kiely pulled the ensuing penalty wide to ensure the final score remained 1-1.

 

That result ensured Henderson will bring an unbeaten record in the league into this Saturday's game with Shels, having won one and drawn one of the two First Division games he has overseen so far. While those four points have been a welcome boost to a campaign that started poorly for Cobh, it hasn't been enough to lift them off the foot of the table – they are two points adrift of seventh-placed Cabinteely.

 

A key component of the Rams' recent mini-revival has been Robbie Waters. The former College Corinthians midfielder hadn't scored in his first appearances this season, but has now found the net four times in Cobh's last three games in all competitions (including a brace as a second half substitute in the 3-2 EA Sports Cup defeat to UCC). The 24 year old was Ramblers' top scorer in the First Division last season with six goals in 19 games, and Henderson will be hoping he can continue his current vein of form against Shels.

The Rams boss has a number of absentees through injury, with Darren Murphy Snr., Peter White, David Curran and Ross McCarthy all out, while doubts surround the availability of Graham McCarthy, Kevin Mulcahy, Eoghan Murphy and Stephen Kenny.

 

 

SHELBOURNE

After just six games of the First Division season, bookies' favourites Shelbourne sit in fourth place, six points adrift of unbeaten table-toppers Finn Harps. It is still early days in what is always a grueling promotion chasing rat-race, but Reds boss Kevin Doherty will be eager not to lose any more ground on the teams above them.

 

Last week's 4-2 defeat to a Wexford Youths side who have recovered from their own sticky start to sit just two points off the top was disappointing – and Doherty wasn't happy with the goals his side conceded.

“When we restarted after the lights failure, Wexford had changed their formation, playing more direct football and we didn’t deal with that,” Doherty told shelbournefc.ie. “I wasn’t happy with the defending for the first two goals – we should have done a lot better. That left us 2-1 down at half-time.”

 

Though Shels went unbeaten in the four games against Cobh in 2014, they narrowly escaped St. Colman's Park with two high-scoring draws, which Doherty witnessed first-hand as Johnny McDonnell's assistant.

“Cobh have turned their season around with the return of Stephen Henderson as manager. He’s a good experienced manager and has good players to work with,” said Doherty. “They have done well in their last couple of games and it will be very difficult to get points there on Saturday. We played them there twice last season and struggled to get a point from each game.”

 

The 34 year old continues to have little luck on the injury front, with particularly galling news regarding young fullback Simon Dixon whose season now appears to be over. The Reds U19 product hasn't made an appearance since suffering concussion in the opening day goalless draw with Finn Harps.

 

Dave Ryan (knee) and Sean Heaney are the other injured absentees for Shels, while Ryan Robinson is suspended after being sent off against Youths last week and Evan Osam is away on schools international duty in the Centenary Shield.

Doherty is waiting on Philly Hughes (ankle) and Alan Kehoe (groin), but will gladly welcome Paul Andrews and Dylan McGlade back into the fold after the pair recovered from head and hamstring injuries respectively.

 

Referee: Jim McKell.

 

 

MATCH STATS

Cobh Ramblers' last win against Shelbourne came during Stephen Henderson's first spell in charge at the club, a 2-1 victory at Tolka Park in October 2007. Anto Flood's first half strike was rendered a consolation thanks to goals from Kieran O'Reilly and Graham Cummins which brought the Rams one step closer to automatic promotion.

 

Robbie Waters has scored in every game of Stephen Henderson's second spell at Cobh.

 

The two games between these sides at St. Colman's Park in 2014 produced ten goals: a 2-2 draw in June and a 3-3 draw in October.

 

Gareth Penrose scored his first ever Shels goal against Cobh in that final day 3-3 thriller. Lee Murtagh tried to claim it, but it was too late. Alternatively, Lee Murtagh scored his last ever Shels goal against Cobh.

 

 

BETTING

Cobh Ramblers 7/2; Draw 12/5; Shelbourne 7/10.

 

PREDICTION

Cobh Ramblers 1-2 Shelbourne.

 

 

Cobh Ramblers

Injured: David Curran (groin), Ross McCarthy (knee ligaments), Darren Murphy (85) and Peter White (both short of match fitness).

Doubtful: Kevin Mulcahy (hip), Graham McCarthy (calf strain), Eoghan Murphy and Stephen Kenny (both dead leg).

Suspended: None.

 

Shelbourne

Injured: Dave Ryan (knee), Simon Dixon, Sean Heaney.

Doubtful: Philly Hughes (ankle), Alan Kehoe (groin).

Suspended: Ryan Robinson.

International duty: Evan Osam.