Kingston, Galvin seal deal for Cobh
SOCCER
Daire Walsh
CABINTEELY FC…………………………………… 1
COBH RAMBLERS…………………………………. 2
GOALS from Cian Kingston and Cory Galvin were pivotal at Stradbrook last night, when Cobh Ramblers secured their second win of their current SSE Airtricity League First Division campaign against Cabinteely FC.
Prior to this encounter, Cobh’s only victory of 2016 had arrived on their previous visit to Dublin – a 1-0 win over Shelbourne on the opening day of the season. They entered this contest on the back of three consecutive defeats in all competitions, and were eager to get back to winning ways.
With Stephen Christopher and Graham McCarthy providing cover in front of the back-four, Ramblers restricted the Cabinteely attack during the early stages of the action. Michael Brown did get his head to a Karl Byrne delivery six minutes in, but it was gathered with ease by Cobh netminder Paul Hunt.
A first-time volley from distance by Cabinteely’s Ben Hanrahan also forced a fine save from Hunt, but just as the south Dubliners were beginning to settle into the proceedings, Cobh broke the deadlock on 25 minutes.
After industrious lone striker Markus Gustavsson had been fouled on the right-flank, centre-half Kingston rose highest to head Shane O’Connor’s pin-point left-footed delivery beyond the reach of stranded Cabinteely’s Michael Kelly.
This was a massive boost for Stephen Henderson’s men, and although the dangerous Hanrahan found the back of the Ramblers net seven minutes before the interval, his clinical header from a cross on the left-wing was eventually ruled out for offside. Within 60 seconds of the restart, Cobh doubled their lead.
Straight from the kick-off, O’Connor picked out Lehane on the right-hand side, and after controlling his delivery at the far post, Galvin fired home from a tight-angle. Cobh were now in pole position for all three points, but just shy of the hour mark, Cabinteely worked their way back into contention.
Hunt had turned away a Joseph Doyle effort, but after the Cobh rearguard failed to clear the danger, Hanrahan’s firm close-range drive reduced Cabinteely’s deficit. This set-up a tension-filled finale for both sides, and Hanrahan was narrowly off-target from Kevin Knight’s set-piece just six minutes later.
Cobh continued to pose a threat and Christopher’s thundering long-range strike almost produced a spectacular goal 17 minutes from time.
CABINTEELY FC: Michael Kelly; Karl Byrne, Lee Mitchell (Andrew Wall 92), Edward McDonagh, Kevin Knight; Joseph Doyle, Shane Boyle (Aaron Brilly 92), Oscar Brennan, Michael Brown; Ben Hanrahan, Stephen Hanley (Oliver Hamzat 62).
COBH RAMBLERS: Paul Hunt; Charlie Flemming, Cian Kingston, Christopher McCarthy, Ian Mylod; Stephen Christopher, Graham McCarthy; Rob Lehane (Jason Abbott 85), Shane O’Connor, Cory Galvin; Shane O’Connor; Markus Gustavsson (Andy O’Connell 76).
Referee: Thomas Dempsey (Dublin).