Cobh miss out on play-offs as Treaty United sign off with win

Cobh finished sixth, one spot outside the play-off places while Treaty United played their final game before the club changes its name to Limerick FC

Dare Kareem opened the scoring for Treaty United against Cobh Ramblers. Pic: ©INPHO/Dan Clohessy

SSE Airtricity First Division: Treaty United 2 (Kareem 67, Oyenuga 89) Cobh Ramblers 0

Cobh Ramblers suffered a frustrating reverse to Treaty United and with it, their play-off hopes evaporated. In an inadequate display, second half goals, as well as results elsewhere, consigned the Rams to another season in the second tier.

Boasting the second best away record in the division didn’t help them on the evening, but, much like Treaty, it was their disappointing home form that may define their season. Goals from Dare Kareem and Jason Oyenuga decided the result at Markets Field.

Treaty United, meanwhile, played their final name under that banner. It has been an exciting and at times tumultuous existence for the club, who will assume the Limerick FC moniker from here on. Their most successful moment, perhaps, was defeating the Rams in the play-off semi-final 12 months ago.

On a dry evening on Shannonside, there was a decent tempo to the opening exchanges with the hosts looking fractionally more likely. However, Cobh grew into the contest, knowing they most required a victory to secure the final play-off spot.

Brian Lenihan hit the side netting with a low drive after 22 minutes. The Rams picked up the pace for a spell and Rhys Gourdie drew a routine stop from Jack Brady after recycling the ball from a corner soon after.

At the other end, Robbie Lynch drew a fine save from Timothy Martin on the stroke of half time. The keeper couldn’t have seen the ball until late in a crowded area, as the visitors failed to clear a United corner kick.

Calum Honohan had the next big chance, drilling low and wide on 66 minutes as Cobh failed to really ignite in attack.

From the very next play, they were punished. Dare Kareem, on-loan from Drogheda United, has failed to make a telling impact all season. However, his bundled finish was just what the home crowd desired.

After setting Mark Byrne free out wide, the striker continued his run and was fed by Byrne’s low cross. A scuffed right-footed effort evaded any defenders and dealt a hammer-blow to Ramblers fading promotion hopes.

Fran Rockett’s men needed a win, and a favour from Cork City, who were level with Kerry. Gourdie tried his luck from a tight angle but a combination of Brady and his blue wall denied the Scot.

As the game was stretched, Byrne missed a big chance to seal the points. Brian Cunningham saw a quality effort tipped off the bar, with only one side looking likely to grab the games second goal.

And the second did arrive, on 89 minutes, when sub-Jason Oyenuga raced through on the counter-attack and tucked beyond Martin to seal the points, and Cobh’s fate. Brendan Frahill was dismissed in stoppage time for what appeared to be a frustrated kick-out.

Tommy Barrett’s men finish the season on 42 points, three points below their average for the last three seasons. However, they were some distance, ten points, adrift of the play-off spots.

Treaty United: J Brady; R Lynch, M Walsh (Capt) (B Regan ‘63), D Nwankwo, R Boevi; M Jones (C Whelan ’74), C Conroy; M Byrne, B Feeney (J Oyenuga ’74), R Manning; F Kareem.

Cobh Ramblers: T Martin; B Lenihan (D McCormack ‘77), B Frahill, C Honohan, O Crowe (C Coleman ’77), L Le Bervet; K O’Neill (D McGlade ‘62), A Adenopo (M Carroll ’77), R Gourdie (Capt); S Griffin, P Adeyemi (R Kelly-Noonan ’62).

Referee: Daryl Carolan