Cobh Ramblers 1

Galway United 1

Mike Rafferty at St Colman’s Park

SOMETIMES a point won away from home can be seen as a plus but, on this occasion, it was lean pickings as Galway United battered the home side for the majority of this First Division contest at Colman’s Park on Friday night.

Matters certainly did not start well for the visitors, as it looked like half the team were still on the bus as Cobh started in positive fashion and flashed home a goal after just 113 seconds. The response took time, but apart from a soft penalty awarded to and converted by David Hurley just before the break, the game was a bit of a forgettable experience.

If United were slow to kickstart in the opening half, well they did not repeat that on the resumption, but unfortunately there was nothing scientific in their quest to break down a Cobh side who had to play for most of the second half with ten men. The visitors just poured ball after ball into a crowded box from silly angles and, in the process, they made Cobh central defenders Justin Equaibor and Charlie Lyons look world class as they won every delivery possible. It was a little like going on a shopping spree, picking out all the items you needed, and then buying nothing.

Manager John Caulfield made two changes to the side that limped past Kerry the previous week, with Francely Lomboto replacing Ronan Manning, while Regan Donelon was left on the bench as Killian Brouder slotted back into central defence alongside Maurice Nugent, with Rob Slevin moving over to cover the left full position. The two new signing were allocated a starting spot on the bench, before Wassim Aouachria and Aodh Dervin were introduced in the second half. Indeed United freshened up matters with five changes overall, but in the end it was of no avail.

While the table toppers had a full squad available, the same could not be said of Cobh. Managed by former United boss Shane Keegan, they were   on a four-match winning streak. The third placed side were missing Jack Doherty, Jason Abbott, Brendan Frahill and, of course, Wilson Waweru who is on loan from Galway, but their losses was insignificant as the home side worked extremley hard for any rewards that came their way.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

Connacht Tribune Digital Edition e-Paper App

Download the Connacht Tribune Digital Edition e-Paper App to access to Galway’s best-selling newspaper.

Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.

Or purchase the Digital Edition for PC, Mac or Laptop from Pagesuite  HERE. A one-year digital subscription costs just €89.00.

Get the Connacht Tribune Live app
The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City and county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.