Martin goal proves the difference as Treaty pip Cobh to reach play-off final

Dylan McGlade, Cobh Ramblers, passes under pressure from Evan O'Connor, Treaty United. Pic: Dan Linehan

First Division play-off second leg: Cobh Ramblers 1 Treaty United 1 (Treaty United win 2-1 on aggregate)

Treaty United are through to the First Division play-off final for the first time ever following a dramatic 2-1 aggregate victory over Cobh Ramblers.

It came down to the first period of extra-time with an Eoin Martin goal at St Colman’s Park, on a night that saw a dramatic Matthew Whelan equaliser for the home side at the death.

The Shannonsiders go through to play Bray Wanderers, who defeated UCD 4-2 on aggregate.

Treaty held a narrow 1-0 aggregate lead following Joseph Hanson’s winner in the first leg at the Markets Field.

This continues a mad-cap season that Tommy Barrett’s side qualify for the play-offs on the final day with a victory away with Wexford at Ferrycarrig Park.

That seemed to release any tension from their squad as they played a the free-flowing and fearless game over the two legs.

It led to a number of early chances, beginning with a Lee Lynch free-kick that was headed away by Cian Coleman inside 90 seconds. Karl O’Sullivan also tried his luck during his period and the goalkeeper forced Timothy Martin into a low save in the sixth minute.

Cian Murphy opened Cobh’s night with a right footed strike that was easily stopped by Corey Chambers at the Liam McMahon Stand.

This is how the game went, as clear cut openings were few and far between as the clock ticked on. Joseph Hanson arguably went the closest of both teams during the first half with a free header, and even that was harmlessly stopped by the Cobh goalkeeper.

The home side looked like a group struggling to come up with an answer to a question they couldn’t quite understand, which led to two changes in formation during the second half.

The Ramblers eventually changed tact by moving to a 3-4-3 with the introduction of Samuel Bellis and that turned into a 4-4-2 formation once Whelan came on in the 72nd minute.

Niall O’Keeffe thought he got the equaliser with a blistering strike, but that was pushed out for a corner.

Treaty United tried breaking at the other end, but they couldn’t get a clear shot away at Timothy Martin.

The Ramblers eventually threw the kitchen sink with a long ball into the box in the second minute of four added on. Shane Griffin knocked it on for Whelan to squeeze in at the death, which send the crowd wild after all hope seemed lost.

Extra-time was fraught with tension and tired legs, and very few chances for either team.

Cobh tried breaking once and that actually led to the winner, as the ball was picked off and squared to Eoin Martin.

The Ramblers were caught in transition which allowed the defender to slot in with 105 minutes on the clock.

Cobh had to get back in the game one more time, and the opportunity to force a shootout fell to Jonas Hakkinen, but the defender hit the side netting.

COBH RAMBLERS: Martin; Hughes (Bellis 63), Coleman (O’Donovan 37), Hakkinen, Griffin, O’Keeffe (Griffin 73)(Evers 98), Cribb (Gourdie HT), Bargary (Whelan 73), Coffey, McGlade, Murphy.

TREATY UNITED: Chambers; Boevi, Lynch, Martin, O’Connor, O’Sullivan, Byrne, Conroy (Healy 98), Devitt, Lynch (Lee 77), Hanson (Doherty 70).

Referee: Oliver Moran.