LOI First Division: Cobh finish second despite loss to Longford while Wexford keep play-off hopes alive

Bray Wanderers' Billy O'Neill clashes with Cobh Ramblers' Jonas Hakkinen during an SSE Airtricity Men's First Division match in St Coleman's Park. Picture: Howard Crowdy

Longford Town 3 Cobh Ramblers 1

An excellent display from Longford Town saw the Midlanders pick up their fourth win in a row. This defeat, coupled with Dundalk’s win, means Cobh Ramblers finish second and face into the play-offs. Despite their late unbeaten run, Town will not make the play-offs.

The home side broke the deadlock in the fourth minute. Stefan Ugbesia flicked Eric Yoro’s long ball downfield into the path of Aaron Doran. He spotted Timothy Martin out of his goal and lobbed the ball spectacularly over the head of the Ramblers keeper.

Five minutes later and Ramblers were on level terms through a header from the league’s top scorer, Barry Coffey — his 26th goal of the season. 

The home side had chances: Doran shot wide in the 12th minute and Emre Topcu headed straight at Martin in the 18th minute.

Before the break the Town’s goal led a charmed life as Ramblers went in search of a second goal, but the resolute defence were able to eventually clear the danger.

Town were back in front in the 48th minute. A corner from the left by Pharrell Manuel was finished to the net with a lovely finish from Alex O’Brien.

Ramblers pushed for the equaliser but the next goal was scored by the home side. Ugbesia played a lovely one-two with Topcu before he found the net with a beautiful strike.

As things weren’t going to plan for Ramblers at Bishopsgate and Oriel Park, manager Mick McDermott rang the changes and amongst the players he replaced was Coffey.

In stoppage time substitute Matt Whelan was denied by the Town netminder Kian Moore.

Kerry FC 0 Wexford FC 2

Calum Flynn’s brace from the bench ensured Wexford’s playoff hopes remain alive as Stephen Elliott’s men picked up the points against Kerry FC in Mounthawk Park on Friday evening.

Wexford remain just one point outside the bubble after Treaty United’s win over Bray. However, the playoffs are still in their hands with the Shannonsiders heading to Ferrycarrig Park on Friday for the last game of the regular season.

Although the tie was scoreless at the break, it was far from dull with both sides having several efforts on target. Kerry came out of the blocks fast, with Paul Martin saving from Adams and Okwute early, before the away side took a foothold in the tie.

Stephen Elliott's side would wonder how they did not lead at the break, McCourt, Dobbs and Harris all had chances from close range, but Darragh Foley in the Kerry net stood tall on each occasion.

The breakthrough came just before the 70th minute. Evan Osam’s cross was headed onto the bar by Aaron Dobbs, with substitute Calum Flynn on hand to poke home the rebound from close range.

The away side doubled their lead just three minutes later. The first might have been a tap-in, but this was anything but as substitute Flynn managed to dribble through the Kerry backline before rounding Foley and slotting home for his second of the night, to ensure the massive winner-takes-all clash next Friday night.

Goals from Mark Byrne and Joe Hanson secured the win for Treaty in Limerick but not before a late goal from Cian Curtis had fans sweating with eight minutes of normal play to go. 

Meanwhile, UCD and Athlone shared the spoils in Dublin despite the visitors taking a two-goal lead into the break thanks to strikes from Adam Lennon and Ben Feeney. Brian McManus pulled one back for UCD on 54 minutes and Mikey McCullagh made it all square in the 78th minute to save a point for his side.