Dylan McGlade's brace secures Cobh Ramblers victory against Kerry

Cobh Ramblers picked up their second victory in the First Division on Friday night, thanks to a Dylan McGlade brace against Kerry at Mounthawk Park. Pic: Domnick Walsh © Eye Focus LTD.

Kerry 1 Cobh Ramblers 2

Cobh Ramblers picked up their second victory in the First Division on Friday night, thanks to a Dylan McGlade brace against Kerry at Mounthawk Park.

McGlade opened the scoring two minutes before the break from the penalty spot before doubling his tally in the opening two minutes of the second half.

Cian Bargary gave Kerry a lifeline, but Colin Healy’s men remain on just six points after eight games.

The Kingdom came out of the blocks flying with Bargary coming within inches of the game's opening goal in the seventh minute when his header flew just over the bar after an Arran Healy corner.

Ramblers created their first chance of the game four minutes later but Rhys Kelly-Noonan, akin to Bargary, saw his flicked header towards the far post miss the target.

Ex-Cobh man Bargary had the only attempt on target of the half for Kerry, but the left-footed effort from the edge of the box was comfortable for Martin in the net.

The game's opening goal came two minutes before the break when O’Connell took down Rhys Brennan in the area. Dylan McGlade stepped up and smashed the spot kick to his left.

Ramblers doubled their lead two minutes into the second half. Kerry turned over the ball deep after the Cobh high press, which left McGlade through, who smashed past Halwax to double his side's advantage.

Kerry halved the deficit midway through the second half. Cian Bargary would come back to haunt his former side when he cut in from the right wing and fired into the net with the help of a deflection off the Cobh defender Frahill.

Healy’s side came close to the elusive equaliser just two minutes from time when Timothy Martin made a huge reaction save to his top left from a Vince Borden header labelled for the top corner.

Ryan Kelliher fired the rebound back towards goal, but Martin bounced back up to deny the Kerry number nine with his legs, to ensure Ramblers took all three points back home.

Elsewhere in the First Division, Athlone Town were beaten 2-0 at home by UCD while Treaty United and Longford Town played out a scoreless draw in Limerick.

Kerry: H Halwax; C Bargary, J Häkkinen, K Cantwell (Lee 63), N Brookwell, S O’Connell (Brosnan 63); V Borden, A Healy, S McGrath (Bermingham ht); C Murphy (Palmer 75), E Koufie (Kelliher ht).

Cobh Ramblers: T Martin; L Curtin, C Honohan, B Frahill, B Linehan (Brennan 32); G Buckley, M Carroll (Abbott 80), O Crowe; R Gourdie, R Kelly-Noonan (Waweru 68), D McGlade (Adenopo 80).

Referee: Robert Dowling.