Ramblers topple into league’s third tier

COBH RAMBLERS’ fall from grace was confirmed yesterday when the club were denied a First Division licence, meaning that they will now have to play in the League of Ireland’s third-tier Newstalk A Championship.

In 2007, Cobh were celebrating as champions of the First Division but, after just one season in the Premier Division, they went straight back down last year, their plight exacerbated by the crippling debts which form the backdrop to their failure to hold on to their second-tier status following yesterday’s announcement by the Independent Club Licensing Committee.

Kildare County, pipped by Mervue United in a play-off for promotion last season, are the club to profit at Cobh’s expense, and will now take their place in the First Division for the 2009 campaign.