FAI to investigate as fence collapses during Cork City's FAI Cup victory over Cobh Ramblers

INVESTIGATION: Gardai and Cork City's head of security Robbie Kelleher speaking with Cork City fans after a fence gave way during the FAI cup against Cobh Ramblers at St Colman's park. Picture; Eddie O'Hare

Cobh Ramblers 0-1 Cork City

The FAI are set to investigate how a fence collapsed in the away end at St Colman’s Park following the winning Cork City goal in their cup clash against Cobh Ramblers.

A goal for Ruairi Keating ultimately decided this local derby affair, as Colin Healy’s side can still dream of FAI Cup glory.

Giving his reaction to the collapsed fence following Keating’s finish, City manager Colin Healy said:

“Absolutely it was a worrying moment. Obviously for the supporters thankfully nobody got hurt or anything like that.

“I think they got it under control after a while. It was great that the game went on. Hopefully nobody was hurt, I don’t think there was.

“There were a lot of them(City supporters) there. We didn’t want the game to be called off. I think there was space behind the dugout, the guards came in and they got a hold of it.” 

Although Ramblers were impressive for spells, in particular in the first half, City controlled and managed the game well once they did take the lead.

Ramblers began the game the stronger, with Jake Hegarty doing well to force a good save out of City goalkeeper Jimmy Corcoran, with Luke Desmond also threatening with a chance early on for Cobh.

But City grew into proceedings as the opening half progressed and the away side went into the lead in the 27th minute. Keating did well to finish from close range inside the box, after getting onto the end of a clever free kick by Matt Healy into his path.

There was then a delay in play caused by a collapsed fence in front of the City supporters in the goal celebrations.

When the action did resume, City managed proceedings well and ultimately went in at the half time break holding the advantage.

City’s Barry Coffey caused the Cobh defence problems early into the second half, as the away side looked to put this cup tie to bed.

Cobh had a good chance to level of their own midway through the second half when John Kavanagh fired just over the crossbar following a good run into the City penalty area.

Ramblers continued to battle and search for a crucial opening, but they were finding the City defence a tougher nut to crack in the second half, with Holland seeing a shot blocked down well.

At the other end City threatened through Keating, who saw his shot go over the crossbar from the edge of the box on the volley.

For the remainder of the contest both sides cancelled each other out, which ultimately suited City as they put their name in the hat for the next round draw.

Although promotion back to the Premier Division is the priority, an FAI Cup run could prove a decent boost also to the Cork City campaign.

City have plenty of good memories from FAI Cup glory in the Aviva Stadium in 2016 and 2017. For now at least, Cork City’s cup dreams still remain very much alive.

Attention for City turns towards their promotion push on Friday, when they played host to Athlone Town at Turners Cross. While Shane Keegan's Cobh side will travel to face Longford Town next weekend.

COBH RAMBLERS: Burke; Kavanagh, Mbayo, Frahill, O’Sullivan Connell(Fleming, 75) ; Abbott; O’Leary(McGrath, 75), Holland, Desmond, Drinan( O'Brien-Whitmarsh, 75) ; Hegarty.

CORK CITY: Corcoran; Coleman, Honohan, O’Connor; Crowley, Coffey (Umeh,88), Srbely(Bolger, 64) , Healy, McGlade(Doona, 81) ; Keating, Britton(Murphy, 64).

Referee: Ray Matthews.