Cobh hit four at Bray to strengthen play-off push
Rhys Gourdie opened the scoring for Cobh Ramblers. PIc: Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile
A superb first-half display saw Cobh move right into the First Division play-off reckoning.
Ramblers turned on the style on Friday evening at the Carlisle Grounds as they defeated second placed Bray in style.
The result means that Fran Rockett’s charges are now up to fourth in the standings.
Victory in their last two matches against Munster rivals Kerry FC and Treaty United will ensure the Rams of at least the two extra fixtures at the end of the month.
Despite the loss – just the second Seasiders have suffered on their home turf in 2026 – they are almost assured of a top-five placing.
They are now five points ahead of both Longford Town and Kerry, with the two games remaining against Wexford FC and Finn Harps. But have a superior goal-difference of +14 ahead of the two clubs below them.
The rain before kick-off was biblical. But eased off just as the match began.
Cobh travelled to Wicklow with the second best away record in the section – only behind champions Cork City.
Despite coming into the tie on the back of three victories in a row, Wanderers had not kept a clean sheet against the Rams in their last 18 League meetings.
That became 19 when the away side took a fourth minute lead.
From an attack off the left wing, Oran Crowe slid a pass infield to Prince Jordan Adeyemi.
His lay off was taken on the run by the breaking Rhys Gourdie. Space opened up for the Scottish midfielder in the ‘D to place a fine curled low effort past Rian Hogan.
That advantage was doubled in the 16th minute.
From a free-kick from the right wing by former Seagull Shane Griffin, the ball dropped deep at the far corner of the six-yard area.
The unmarked Ronan Mansfield dinked a hanging cross which dropped across the face of the goal. That left Crowe with a simple close range header to the net.
Then in the 40th minute, it became 3-0.
Mansfield picked up a loose ball off the left flank. Then sent over an inviting cross which was powered to the net by Adeyemi’s bullet ten-yard header.
Bray made three changes during the interval.
One of those subs Ifunanyachi Achara was fouled by Luka Le Bervetin the 61st minute for a penalty. Ben McCormack registered his 12th of the campaign from the spot.
But Cobh restored their three-goal cushion in the 81st minute – created and scored by three of their own subs.
Slipped in by Anthony Adenopo, Dara McCormick clipped over a left byline cross. It went across the face of goal to Jonas Stjernberg who slotted back to the near left corner of the net with a placed finish.
Meanwhile, First Division champions Cork City suffered a third defeat in four games, going down 2-1 away to play-off place chasing Athlone. Will Smith opened the scoring for the home side after six minutes but Seani Maguire got an equaliser for City with 33 minutes on the clock. Just four minutes later, Athlone got the decisive goal through Callum Cleary.
Hogan; Kizenga (Knight 77), Duggan, Osagie, O’Shea (Azende Nyembo 77); Sesay (Achara half time), Ben McCormack; Sammy (Shelley half time), Cheese, Oluwabiyi (Kelly for half time); Mustali
Martin; Frahill, Coleman, Mansfield; Linehan (Honohan 60), Crowe (Stjernberg 74), Griffin, Le Bervet; Gourdie, McGlade (Dara McCormick 67); Adeyemi (Adenopo 74).
Declan Toland (Midlands).
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