- Stephen Walsh
- Sun, Jul 12 2015
Cobh Ramblers recent run of good form came to an end last Saturday night in St. Colman’s Park when they lost to SSE Airtricity League First Division leaders Wexford Youths. Defensive mistakes cost the home side during the second half with Paul Cahillane, Danny Furlong and Conor Whittle all finding the back of the Ramblers net.
Stephen Henderson made one change to his side that defeated Athlone Town last 4-1 Friday, for the clubs first away victory since 2008 with Graham McCarthy coming into the squad instead of Darren Murphy.
The opening exchanges saw Ramblers enjoy the majority of possession but they were unable to make their possession count with Stephen Kenny shooting low at Doyle from 20 yards and then the best chance of the opening half for Ramblers arrived on nine minutes. Rocks cross found Kenny who turned his man before seeing his shot tipped away by Doyle only to fall into the path of O’Connor who headed the ball wide at the back post when it looked easier to score.
Wexford enjoyed a little purple patch afterwards seeing a header from Cahillane go narrowly wide from Conor English’s cross and then on the half hour mark Hickey got down low to stop Cahillane’s free kick.
Throughout the game there was some heavy tackles put in by both sides with referee Jim McKell showing eight yellow cards during the contest.
The home side had a bright start to the second half with Chris McCarthy bringing a finger tip save out of Doyle and then from the resulting corner Brendan Frahill headed wide.
Wexford weathered the storm and Craig Wall nearly scored a cracker for the visitors as he saw his 25 yard drive hit the crossbar before being cleared to safety.
The away side upped the ante as the game approached the hour mark, and after winning a number of corners they scored through Cahillane. A corner was only half cleared by Kevin Mulcahy finding McCabe by the halfway line and his cross into the box bounced, before being misjudged by a Ramblers player, falling to ex-Celtic player Cahillane to head past Hickey into the net.
Ramblers had a free kick from O’Connor go over the bar soon after but kept on trying for the equaliser.
However their hopes of getting something from the game were dashed on 78 minutes when Gary Delaney’s header hit the crossbar from a Whittle corner falling to Furlong who headed home from close range.
By now Cobh had used all three subs including new signing Anthony O’Donnell and despite trying hard, couldn’t pull back another goal.
With time nearly up Cobh conceded another goal when Hickey’s poor clearance found Whittle and he shot from over 60 yards into the empty net to give Wexford Youths a comprehensive victory.
In the aftermath of the goal a scuffle broke out between both teams resulting in McKell handing out a further three yellow cards but moments later the game finished and Ramblers will now have to turn their attention to next week’s clash away to Finn Harps.
Cobh Ramblers: Stephen Hickey; Adam O’Sullivan (Anthony O’Donnell 72), Kevin Mulcahy, Brendan Frahill, Graham McCarthy; Stephen Kenny, Jason Abbott, Christopher McCarthy (Ryan Goldsmith 72), Shane O’Connor, Kynan Rocks; Rob Waters (Darren Murphy 72).
Subs not used: Eoghan Daly, James Furlong, Daniel Barry, David Curran
Yellow Cards: O’Connor (37), Chris McCarthy (39), Mulcahy (78), Kenny (89), Frahill (89)
Wexford Youths: Graham Doyle; Craig McCabe, Lee Grace, Gary Delaney, Ryan Delaney; Chris Kenny, Craig Wall (David Doyle 89); Conor English (Conor Whittle 71), Paul Cahillane, James Darmody (Andy Mulligan 71); Danny Furlong.
Subs not used: Gavin Dowling, Dan Brennan, Conor Sutton
Yellow Cards: Darmody (43), Cahillane (67), Kenny (89)
Referee: Jim McKell (Tipperary)
Attendance: 330 (est.)
Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Paul Cahillane (Wexford Youths)
