Match details
| Cobh Ramblers | 1 - 1 | Cork City |
Details
| Date : | Sat Sep 20 |
|---|---|
| Time : | 19:45 |
| Competition : | EL Premier |
| Place : | St.Colmans Park |
Comments
A penalty kick from Ross Gaynor with three minutes remaining earned Cobh Ramblers a point in the local derby with Cork City at St Colman's Park.Home substitute Daryl Kavanagh was brought down in the penalty area by Cork defender Sean Kelly. Gaynor's goal sees Ramblers move off the bottom of the table.
The meeting of the cash-strapped Leesiders saw Cork take the lead after 24 minutes with Lawrie Dudfield scoring from close range,his first goal of the club.
It was the fourth time in a row that Cork have drawn 1-1 when in the lead. The battle now continues for the two clubs to survive financially into the future.
Cobh were unable to pay their players for the last two weeks, with the squad already on reduced income to help out the club meet running costs. Debts have reached over €300,000.
In team news Ramblers had to select without their suspended captain Alan Carey and on-loan Colin O'Brien,who was not allowed play against the club he has served for 13 years.
Alan Matthews' side were without suspended goalkeeper Michael Devine so Mark McNulty, who played in goal in the Setanta Cup game against Drogheda on Monday night, played his first league game of the season.
A fine dry evening attracted a good local derby attendance of over 3,000 which certainly would have helped some of the home clubs most immediate financial needs, like a full week's wages for the players and management.
Cobh had the ball in the net after 12 minutes when Graham Cummins punched a Ray Lally cornerkick to the net, referee Damien Hancock booked the Ramblers forward and awarded a free out.
But then Cork jumped in front after 24 minutes. Full-back Danny Murphy played a good ball into the path of Liam Kearney,he struck a low shot which was saved by goalkeeper James McCarthy and Lawrie Dudfield swept home the rebound.
It was the former Hull City and Notts County forwards first goal for the Leesiders since joining the club in July.
Cork had a second goal ruled out for an infringement in the area when a Darragh Ryan corner kick was headed back across goal by Sean Kelly for Dan Murray to convert, but the goal was disallowed for a possible handball.
FAI Cup holders City created more chances than last seasons First Division champions Ramblers, with Darren Murphy having an effort tipped over the crossbar by McCarthy just after the break.
The visitors pushed for a second goal to clinch the points with busy midfielder Joe Gamble belting a 35 yard pile driver, which the goalkeeper also touched away for a corner kick.
Cobh, who worked hard throughout, went close to scoring with seven minutes remaining
A cross from John Kearney found the head of defender Kevin Murray, but the clubs leading goalscorer with four goals could not add to his tally as his header flashed wide of Mark McNulty's goal.
But their battling qualities earned the home side a draw with Gaynor's late penalty, whether they can survive the relegation fight and continue as a LOI club remains to be seen.
COBH RAMBLERS: McCarthy, Coleman, Guthrie, Murrsy, J Meade, O'Neill(Mulconry), O'Halloran, J Kearney, Lally(Kavanagh 67), Gaynor, Cummins(Kearney 79).
Subs not used: C Meade, Mulcahy.
CORK CITY: McNulty, Horgan, Kelly, Murray, Danny Murphy, Darren Murphy, Gamble, Healy, Ryan (Behan 71), Dudfield, Kearney.
Subs not used: Woods, Cambridge, Sullivan, O'Connor.
Referee. Damien Hancock(Dublin).