Ramblers routed by impressive Killester
FAI CUP
Daire Walsh
KILLESTER UNITED…………………………………. 3
COBH RAMBLERS…………………………………… 0
IT was a day to forget for Cobh Ramblers at Haddon Park on Saturday afternoon, when a stunning display from Killester United ensured Cobh’s FAI Cup campaign came to an end at the second round stage.
The deadlock had remained unbroken for the duration of the opening period, but thanks to second-half goals from Mark O’Connell, David Lacey and Dylan O’Driscoll, it was the Leinster Senior League outfit who ultimately progressed.
Cobh were aiming to return to winning ways following a run of three games without a victory. Ramblers manager Stephen Henderson made three changes in personnel from their previous encounter. Captain Kevin Mulcahy had suffered food poisoning on Friday evening, but he was eventually able to take his place in the starting line-up alongside goalkeeper Eoghan Daly and midfielder Chris McCarthy.
With Sean Rogers and Darren Kavanagh occupying wing-back roles in Killester’s 3-5-2 formation, it was the Dubliners who had the first meaningful opportunity 11 minutes into the action. Kavanagh unleashed a curling effort from a distance of 25 yards, which drifted marginally past Daly’s right-hand post.
Kenneth Curley also forced a fine save from Daly on the stroke of 20 minutes, and as the half wore on, Killester were taking the game to the visitors.
Cobh were struggling to create clear-cut chances, and although Rob Waters rose to meet an enticing Shane O’Connor delivery beyond the half-hour mark, Killester shotstopper Keith Donohoe gathered his ease.
There was a hint of handball when a strike by Curley was blocked by the Cobh defence seven minutes before the break, but referee Simon Rogers waved away the Killester protests.
Ramblers suffered a sucker punch three minutes after the restart. O’Driscoll broke free on the right-wing, and after supplying a tantalising cross into the area, a diving header from O’Connell found the bottom corner of the Cobh net. A spectacular bicycle-kick by O’Connell only just cleared the crossbar six minutes later.
Cobh fought back and just past the hour, O’Connor did create an opening for Waters. The lone front man’s half-volley was well wide.
But as Cobh committed men forward, they were breached again. A long-delivery was intended for Lacey. Daly raced off his line in attempt to beat the industrious attacker to the ball, but after he failed to make a proper connection, Lacey finished in emphatic style from close-range.
The excellent O’Driscoll completed the scoring with a majestic lob over the stranded Ramblers custodian in second-half stoppage-time.
KILLESTER UNITED: Keith Donohoe; Adam McCormack, Micheal Kelly, Fran Matthews; Sean Rogers, Jason Donnery, Dylan O’Driscoll, Kenneth Curley, Darren Kavanagh; David Lacey, Mark O’Connell.
Subs: David Fitzsimons for O’Connell (65), Mark Ryan for Kelly (73), Paul Graydon for Lacey (91).
COBH RAMBLERS: Eoghan Daly; Adam O’Sullivan, Brendan Frahill, Eoghan Murphy, Kevin Mulcahy; Stephen Kenny, Chris McCarthy, Shane O’Connor, Darren Murphy, Kynan Rocks; Rob Waters.
Subs: Ryan Goldsmith for Mulcahy (63), Ron Stanton for Waters (70).
Referee: Simon Rogers (Dublin).