- Dylan O'Connell
- Sat, Jun 26 2021
A charged second half at St. Colman’s Park saw Cobh Ramblers beat basement side Wexford 3-2 on Saturday evening.
After Paul Fox gave the visitors the lead just before the break, the Rams hit back through Charlie Lyons, Killian Cooper, and Ciaran Griffin to ensure all three points.
Wexford won’t be too disappointed at the result in East Cork, as a stunning strike from Lorcan Fitzgerald from the edge of the box gave them consolation in the dying moments of the game.
The win for the Ramblers sees them leapfrog Cork City and move up to eighth in the First Division table, four points from the play-offs.
It is a huge result in the context of Cobh’s season, and Stuart Ashton’s side were made battle for the points.
While no team was dominant in a tepid first-half, Wexford sprung to life when Kyle Robinson hit the post. Fox was there to follow up for the opener.
Wexford were inspired by this, and nearly made it 2-0 when Jack Doherty flicked a tantalizing ball towards goal. Sean Barron was quickest to react and he dived to cover, denying the visitors a follow up.
Two minutes into the second half and the Rams were level. Murphy was the architect for this as he had a free-kick hit the post and get tapped in by Lyons, who raced away to celebrate with the cheering Cobh fans.
Cooper, who was notorious in the Munster Senior League for his poaching ability, burrowed through a chaotic penalty area to head in at the near post and make it 2-1.
The third goal of the evening came at the end of a fine passage of play from the Ramblers. Darryl Walsh began the move by crossing the ball to Ian Turner, who laid it off to Ciaran Griffin. The striker fired in first time to score with 15 minutes remaining in the game.
With his team now cruising and well in control, Stuart Ashton decided to give Fionn Duggan and Caelin Rooney, two graduated of the club’s academy, their first team debuts.
Griffin nearly made it 4-1 to the Rams with five minutes remaining, but his free header smashed off the crossbar.
At the end of added time, in what was the final seconds of the game, the left foot of Fitzgerald guided the ball to the back of the net.
Cobh Ramblers: Sean Barron, Ben O’Riordan, Cian Murphy (Darryl Walsh 53) Charlie Lyons, Pierce Philips, Darren Murphy, Lee Devitt, Stephen O’Leary, Killian Cooper (Ciaran Griffin 71), Jake Hegarty (Fionn Duggan 89), Ian Turner (Caelin Rooney 89).
Subs not used: Corey Chambers, Naythan Coleman, James McCarthy, Chris O’Reilly.
Booked: Ian Turner, Pierce Philips.
Wexford FC: Jimmy Corcoran, Paul Cleary, James Carroll, Conor Crowley (Jack Connolly 73), Karl Manahan (Success Edogun 89), Karl Fitzsimons (Anto Dolan 89), Jack Doherty, Paul Fox, Kyle Robinson, Evan Farrell (Harry Groome 73), Lorcan Fitzgerald.
Subs Not Used: Sean Martin, Jack Larkin, Kevin McEvoy, Daniel Dobbin, Donal Porter.
Booked: Jack Doherty, Kyle Robinson.
Referee: Alan Patchell.
