Limerick overrun Cobh Ramblers to advance in EA Cup

Cobh Ramblers 2 Limerick 4: Free-scoring Limerick made it 10 goals in three days against Cobh Ramblers as they advanced to the next round of the EA Sports Cup at St Colman’s Park last night.

These clubs had met 72 hours earlier, with Limerick winning (6-1) at The Markets Field on Saturday evening. The Shannonsiders made it three straight wins to top the First Division with nine points.

Limerick, who had scored 15 goals in those victories, struck twice in the opening 20 minutes last night.

The first was an own goal, with a Shane Tracy free kick flying into the net off Ramblers skipper Shane O’Connor after quarter of an hour.

The visitors scored a second soon after, with former Cobh striker Stephen Kenny firing a 15-yard shot to the net in off the hands of goalkeeper Eoghan Daly.

Martin Russell’s side were quicker off the mark in the second half, with experienced striker John O’Flynn notching two goals in a couple of minutes.

The former Cork City and Exeter City striker finished a Garbhan Coughlan cross on 49 minutes and within 100 seconds he slotted home a rebound off Daly from six yards.

Cobh striker Markus Gustavsson pulled two goals back, first when he converted a 73rd minute penalty after Stephen Christopher was fouled by goalkeeper Freddy Hall and then he thumped a shot in off Hall at his near post six minutes later.

COBH:

Daly; G McCarthy, O’Connell, Curran, O’Connor; Christopher, C McCarthy, Griffin, Mylod; C Galvin; Gustavsson.

Subs:

Kingston for Galvin (67),Lehane and McGreevy for Griffin and Christopher (both 75).

LIMERICK:

Hall; Sharkey, O’Connor, Williams, Murphy; Lynch, Tracy; Mann,Coughlan, Kenny; O’Flynn.

Subs:

Paul O’Connor for Paudie O’Connor (57), Moore for O’Flynn (65).

Referee:

Anthony Buttimer (Cork).