Griffin bags hat-trick as Cobh Ramblers defeat Longford Town

Midfielder Shane Griffin got his first hat-trick in claret and blue as the hosts notched up their second win in the last five 

SWEET WIN: Cobh Ramblers manager Mick McDermott. Pic: Thomas Flinkow/Sportsfile

Cobh Ramblers 3 Longford Town 1
Waterford’s Shane Griffin got his first hat-trick in claret and blue as Cobh Ramblers defeated Longford Town 3-1 at St Colman’s Park.

The midfielder’s second was the pick of the bunch on a night that saw Daniel Norris hit back for the visitors.

This was a welcome result for Mick McDermott and his players as they recorded just one win in their last four league games going into Friday.

The coach heavily rotated the team from last week’s draw with Finn Harps by putting Brendeán Frahil and John O’Donovan into defence instead of Cian Coleman and Luka Le Bervet, while Rhys Gourdie was moved out to the left in place of Cian Bargary. Matthew Whelan was also named to start instead of Cian Murphy.

The visitors handed a debut to Kyle Robinson, following his move to Bishopsgate from Athlone Town.

The forward featured in a rigid Longford Town side that that frustrated a Cobh team that dominated possession with their low block.

The Ramblers only created one real opportunity in the opening half hour, from a free-kick by Shane Griffin, and Harry Halwax pushed that away at the near post.

The Waterford native followed that up with a blistering right legged shot in the 37th minute and he opened the scoring.

Longford immediately pushed up and with that came the equaliser after a Robinson shot was parried by Timothy Martin. Daniel Norris got in and finished that off at the Liam McMahon Stand and that made the scoreboard read 1-1 at the break.

The Ramblers went back in front in the 50th minute with a sublime Shane Griffin half volley that flew passed Halwax and in at the back post.

The midfielder completed his hat-trick in the 81st minute from the spot after Barry Coffey was brought down inside the area.

Cobh Ramblers: Timothy Martin; Jonas Hakkinen, Brendeán Frahill (Cian Coleman HT), John O’Donovan, Shane Griffin, Niall O’Keeffe (Cian Bargary 56), Rhys Gourdie (Harvey Cribb), Shane Griffin, Samuel Bellis (Dylan McGlade 57), Barry Coffey, Matthew Whelan (Cian Murphy 57).

Longford Town: Harry Halwax; Pharrell Manuel, Dean O’Shea, Oisin Hand, Osaze Irhue, Aaron Doran (Dean George 83), Emre Topcu, Eric Yoro, Daniel Norris (Sean Moore 83), Kyle Robinson, Darragh Murtagh.

Referee: Glen Geraghty