No joy for champions as Cobh Ramblers edge 10-man Cork City
Sean Maguire, Cork City, Luka Le Brevet, Cobh Ramblers. Pic: Jim Coughlan.
Not quite the return to home soil that First Division champions Cork City would have wanted, but they can have no complaints here.
City were reduced to 10 men when Fiacre Kelleher was sent off just before the break, and though they led 1-0 at the interval, Cobh Ramblers made it count in the second period and turned the game on its head.
Barry Robson sacrificed Hans Mpongo and brought on Harry Nevin to maintain four at the back, but it took the Rams only seven minutes to get the equaliser.
Jordan Adeyemi got right in on top of Conor Brann for the corner delivery, and was able to beat Brann to the ball with a header, leaving it 1-1 at 52 minutes.
City were struggling with 10 men, and though Keating had a decent opportunity which he struck over the bar in the 57th minute, Cobh immediately got in for their second goal, as Rhys Gourdie and substitute Shane Griffin punished lacklustre defending from Chris N’Sa and Rory Feely.
City would find themselves undone once again; this time in the 85th minute when Gourdie countered from a Cork City corner and launched a long ball forward to Anthony Adenopo.
He shook off Conor Drinan, closed the space to goal and unleashed a strike that – while Brann got a touch to it – the ball bounced its way into the net to seal victory.
City would get themselves a consolation right at the death, as Feely headed on from a messy corner, right to Seani Maguire, who volleyed home from point-blank range.
The goal would not change the outcome, ensuring the Rams picked up a crucial three points in their promotion playoff bid.
Heading out at Turner’s Cross for the first time since winning the league, City were greeted with a guard of honour from their rivals and an ovation from the Shed End.
They got to work early, carving open a good opportunity after 12 minutes when Seani Maguire set up fellow striker Ruairi Keating, but Timo Martin made a good save.
A defensive error from Kelleher afforded Gourdie a chance at the other end for Cobh, but his shot was far too tame. Two minutes later, the Leesiders found the opening and nudged themselves in front as Hans Mpongo raced down the wing before squaring it to Maguire, who slotted home with ease.
Mpongo almost bagged himself another assist in the 28th minute, as he threaded a beautiful ball through to Keating, who tried to get around Martin for the easy finish, but the Luxembourgish goalkeeper reacted quickly.
Former City winger Dylan McGlade put Brann under similar pressure at the other end, playing a one-two with Jordan Adeyemi before taking off towards goal. McGlade’s shot was powerfully across goal, but Brann made an excellent stop.
City were deserving of their lead up to that point – they had conjured up the better chances – but when Cobh Ramblers found themselves through on goal, Kelleher pulled down Dara McCormick and was immediately shown a red card.
From there though, Cobh would seize the initiative and take the points.
Brann; N’Sa, Kelleher, Feely, Drinan; Murphy, O’Keeffe (Fitzpatrick 76), Crowley, Mpongo (Nevin HT); Keating, Maguire.
Martin; Honohan, Coleman, Mansfield, Le Bervet; Crowe, Gourdie; Adeyemi (Zborowski 88), McGlade, McCormick (Adenopo 73); Stjernberg (Griffin HT).
D Murphy
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