Barry Coffey's first half hat-trick sees Cobh Ramblers keep the pressure on Dundalk

The Rams remain six points behind Dundalk in the race for automatic promotion though as the Lilywhites edged a five-goal thriller with UCD at Oriel Park.

Barry Coffey celebrates after completing his first-half hat-trick for Cobh Ramblers against Finn Harps in the SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division at Colman Park. Picture Chani Anderson

Cobh Ramblers 4 Finn Harps 1

A first half hat-trick from Barry Coffey helped Cobh Ramblers defeat Finn Harps 4-1 at St Colman’s Park.

Hans Mpongo got the response for Kevin McHugh’s side, with Cian Bargary rounding out the win late-on.

Mick McDermott’s side were relentless as they looked to keep up with Dundalk at the top of the table, and potentially force a title decider on the final day at St Colman’s Park.

The Ramblers attacked from the whistle was their reward was Coffey turning in a Bargary cross in the 10th minute.

Cobh did not sit back, instead they continued to push as they looked to add goals in a bid to close the goal difference gap on Dundalk.

Rhys Gourdie set up the second with a low pass that Coffey turned in from close range in the 24th minute.

The midfielder finished his hat-trick by nodding the ball in after Lorenzo Piaia misjudged a Bargary cross from the right.

Mpongo’s breakaway strike before the break raised the question of a big finish, that ultimately never arrived as Cobh strengthened their control over the game after the restart.

The Ramblers controlled possession which led to opportunities for Coffey and Gourdie, although neither player was able to hit the target.

Cobh had to wait until the 88th minute for their fourth, and it arrived when Bargary half-volleyed the ball in with his right boot from right in front of the posts.

The Rams remain six points (and six goals) behind Dundalk in the race for automatic promotion though as the Lilywhites edged a five-goal thriller with UCD at Oriel Park.

The Students looked likey to do Cobh a huge favour as they took the lead through Dignam but Dundalk battled back thanks to a brace from Gbemi Arubi, and a late Eoin Kenny finish before they had to surive a late scare.

Elsewhere Wexford kept their hopes of snatching a playoff spot alive as they won 2-1 away at bottom side Athlone Town to close the gap on fifth placed Treaty United, who were held to a 1-1 draw by Kerry while seventh placed Longford Town shocked third placed Bray Wanderers with a 2-0 victory at the Carlisle Grounds.  

Cobh Ramblers: Timothy Martin; Iestyn Hughes, Cian Coleman, Jonas Hakkinen, John O’Donovan, Niall O’Keeffe (Harvey Cribb 90), Rhys Gourdie (Mikey Carroll 90), Cian Bargary, Barry Coffey, Dylan McGlade (Samuel Bellis 87), Cian Murphy (Matthew Whelan 90).

Finn Harps: Lorenzo Piaia; Josh Cullen, Max Hutchinson, Daniel Cunningham, Kieran Cooney, Oran Brogan, Tony McNamee, Gradi Lomboto (Gavin Hodgins 64), Gavin McAteer, Idir Yacine Zerrouk, Hans Mpongo.

Referee: Daniel Murphy.