Cobh Ramblers close on First Division summit with win over Kerry
Cobh Ramblers' goalscorer Matthew Whelan out jumps Kerry's Samuel Aladesanusi during the SSE Airtricity first division game at St. Colman's Park. Picture: Eddie O'Hare
Matthew Whelan’s goal on the hour mark was the difference as Cobh Ramblers defeated Kerry 1-0 at St Colman’s Park.
The full-time result has put Mick McDermott’s side within touching distance of the summit, as they trail the Dundalk by just a point following their defeat to Finn Harps.
That means Cobh can go top should they defeat their rivals this Friday at Oriel Park.
For this to happen, McDermott’s side needed to win and they got the three points despite a fast Kerry start which saw a blistering Sean McGrath strike go straight into the hands of Timothy Martin inside the first minute.
The Ramblers then had to deal with an injury to Samuel Bellis and Whelan came on, with Cian Murphy moving onto the right wing.
The Ramblers threatened but rarely tested Tim Oliver Hiemer, until the second half. Barry Coffey was twice denied by the goalkeeper on two occasions, as Cobh poured themselves into a frenetic search for the opening goal.
At one stage Whelan went down inside the area and the referee waved on the play.
The Ramblers next attack saw a deep Luka Le Bervet cross helped in by a handling error from the Kerry goalkeeper and the head of Whelan.
Kerry drove forward in search of an equaliser at the death, and the best they could do was an Oran Crowe shot that went out for a corner.
The Ramblers had done enough, with their focus now a massive game with Dundalk on Friday.
Martin; Le Bervet, Hakkinen, Coleman, Griffin, Abbott (O’Keeffe HT), Griffin, Bellis (Whelan 10), Coffey, Bosnjak (Holland HT), Murphy.
Hiemer; O’Connell (Brosnan 83), McQueen, Williams, Crowe, Teahan, Aladesanusi (Dunne 67), McGrath (Mujaguzi 82), Brookwell, Palmer (Amechi HT), Okwute (Alabi 74).
Glen Geraghty
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