Cobh Ramblers claim first-ever league victory over Cork City at Turner's Cross

A first defeat of the season for Cork City, and it’s the first time the league leaders have dropped points at home this year

MATCH WINNER: Fiacre Kelleher, Cork City and Dylan McGlade, Cobh Ramblers battle for the ball. Pic: Jim Coughlan.

Cork City 0 Cobh Ramblers 1

No shortage of bite, no shortage of late drama. Late drama which ensured this meeting of neighbours felt like a rare battle of rivals on Friday evening.

A first, First Division win for Cobh Ramblers at Turner’s Cross. Ever.

A first defeat of the season for Cork City, and it’s first time the league leaders have dropped points at home this year.

Fortuitous? A touch. But the Ramblers’ defensive efforts were utterly exceptional, and Cork City were far, far too wasteful in front of 4,710.

City had dominated the first half. They had been better for much of the second.

And then, in the 74th minute, the excitement gained its edge. Rhys Brennan had a shot saved by Brann, who parried it, and on its way back into the fray it struck Fiacre Kelleher’s arm, and referee Oliver Moran pointed to the spot. City protested profusely, but to no avail.

Dylan McGlade stepped up to take the spot kick. The sea of support in the Shed End watching over Brann did all they could do to put off the former City winger, but there would be no error here.

McGlade slotted it cleanly into the bottom corner. His celebrations after did little to cool the fury in the Shed. A minute later Ruairí Keating set up Seani Maguire, and he went to ground inside the box.

No penalty; further jeers from the home crowd.

Sean Maguire of Cork City battles Gary Buckley, Cobh. Pic: Jim Coughlan.

And then, that same combination, but with Maguire passing to Keating saw the hosts finally hit the net, but the offside flag was raised. Maguire would come close with two headed chances; another City penalty shout would be waved away. But there would be no equaliser for City this time.

For the first 25 minutes the hosts were all over the Rams. Their first real chance came from a Bolger header that Maguire had saved by Timo Martin, before Maguire then squared one for Keating whose close-range effort was stopped by the Luxembourgish goalkeeper in the 17th minute.

Merely four minutes later, City looked to have found the breakthrough; Bolger again teed up Maguire, and he pulled off a clever finish to lob Martin, but Garry Buckley got back to clear it off the line and prevent a certain goal.

They were in again when Josh Fitzpatrick played a one-two with Hans Mpongo minutes later, but Fitzpatrick’s strike was too high. Keating had a similar chance from almost the same angle fly over the bar just before the break, as Cobh survived the early onslaught.

Mpongo slipped through after a terrific over the top through ball from Bolger in the 56th minute, but he couldn’t control it in time to get a clean shot away.

Mpongo’s replacement, Matthew Murray, tested Martin in the 70th minute, but the Cobh shot stopper – exceptional all evening – got down to it.

And things rapidly turned against Cork City.

Elsewhere Kerry held Athlone Town to a scoreless draw, Robbie Lynch's late finish earned 10-man Treaty United - Folarin-Oyenuga was shown two yellows- a 2-2 draw at Bray Wanderers while Mikie Rowe's second half brace saw Wexford defeat Finn Harps 2-0 and finally UCD overcame Longford 2-0 to cut the gap to leaders City to just three points, albeit they've played a game more.

CORK CITY (3-4-2-1): Brann; Nevin, Lyons, Kelleher; Fitzpatrick, Bolger (Bridge 75), Crowley, Drinan; Mpongo (Murray 56), Maguire; Keating.

COBH RAMBLERS (4-2-3-1): Martin; Frahill, Griffin, Buckley, Le Bervet; Carroll, Crowe (Abbott 79); Adenopo (Curtin 71), Gourdie, Brennan (Kelly-Nolan 87); McGlade.

Referee: O Moran (Dublin).