- Philip Morrissey
- Sat, Aug 14 2021
A double from Barry Coffey gave Cork City the local bragging rights over Cobh Ramblers thanks to a substantial 4-0 win at Turner’s Cross on Friday night.
Beineon O’ Brien-Whitmarsh and Cian Murphy also netted after a brace from Barry Coffey set them on their way, extending their unbeaten streak in the process.
Cobh battled gamely in the first half when the game was still in the balance, although, they were well beaten at the final whistle, much to the disappointment of Darren Murphy.
Cork City were unchanged following the fine win up in Galway last weekend. The match winner, Sean Kennedy, was again on the bench.
Charlie Lyons and Ben O’ Riordan were both missing for Cobh after their red cards against Athlone. Conor Drinan was fit enough for the bench after a recent injury.
Cork have been starting games well in recent weeks and this was no different. Coffey was alive to the makeshift Cobh backline by sending a couple of testing balls forward.
One of these led to Cork taking an early lead. It seemed to be more in hope than expectation, but O’ Brien-Whitmarsh was lurking with intent. Sean Barron was caught out and the striker clipped the ball over him before slotting home.
Another ball forward created an opportunity for Alec Byrne. Again, Coffey was the creator, but he was only able to hit the side netting when pushed wide.
It was all City at this point as they drove forward and capitalised on loose play from the Cobh midfield.
Ramblers almost drew level though. Pierce Phillips intercepted the ball on the left before skipping past Ronan Hurley. His shot crashed back off the crossbar though.
The game became more even as the away side got more into the contest. John Kavanagh was marshalling those around him well as they frustrated the City attack.
Cork begun the second half in determined fashion. Barron was forced to tip over a deep cross for a corner that Cian Coleman headed just wide from.
Dylan McGlade was beginning to find space to pick passes at will. But Gordon Walker was unlucky to see a superb offlay just miss him.
The bright work was to reap rewards. A shot came in that was too fierce for Barron. He was only able to palm it away. Barry Coffey pounced to score his first goal after his loan spell.
McGlade almost made it three shortly after but failed to take advantage of a good pass from O’ Brien-Whitmarsh.
It was a short reprieve for Cobh, however. The ball was given again yet again, and Cian Murphy drove forward. He got past Nathan Coleman far too easily and buried his shot past Barron. It kept up his good form in the league.
Cobh heads dropped and Cork sensed more goals for the taking. O’ Brien-Whitmarsh ran on to a ball from Gordon Walker. He was off-balance and hit it into the side netting.
The scoring was completed with a few minutes to go. Coffey grabbed his second after a break from Cian Bargary.
He slipped in the midfielder who finished well into the bottom corner for his second as City won this latest Cork derby with ease.
Cork City: Mark McNulty; Josh Honohan (Dale Holland 82), Ronan Hurley, Gordon Walker; Darragh Crowley, Cian Coleman (c), Barry Coffey, Alec Byrne, Dylan McGlade (Cian Bargary 77); Cian Murphy (Sean Kennedy 68), Beineon O'Brien Whitmarsh.
Subs not used: David Harrington, Cathal Heffernan, Oran Crowe, Joe O'Brien Whitmarsh, Steven Beattie, Jamie Wynne.
Cobh Ramblers: Sean Barron; Pierce Phillips, John Kavanagh, Lee Devitt Molloy, Nathan Coleman; Ian Turner (Conor Drinan 74), Stephen O'Leary, Danny O'Connell (Stephen O'Leary 62), Nathan O'Connell, Darren Murphy; Ciaran Griffin (Jake Hegarty 74).
Subs not used: Corey Chambers, Fionn Duggan, Christopher O'Reilly, David O'Leary, James McCarthy, Killian Cooper, Alex Hill.
Booked: Nathan Coleman (25) Nathan O'Connell (64).
Referee: Robert Dowling.
Attendance: 900.
