Cobh's work-rate and performance meant they got a deserved reward after one of the club's greatest displays

YOU only had to witness the scenes at full time to truly appreciate what this meant to Cobh Ramblers.

With seconds remaining in the match, Dundalk had a free in their own half. Once the kick was finally taken, Stephen Henderson had his hands on his head, moving towards the play as if to head the ball clear to safety himself.

But his defender did it for him. Full time and the substitutes bench empties. Those not involved in the play run to their teammates who were and Henderson is quickly mobbed by his coaching staff.

The EA Sports Cup semi-final has finished; Cobh Ramblers 1 Dundalk 0. The majority of the home crowd, the biggest attendance this old ground has seen in quite some time, rejoices as the club they love reaches its first ever national final.

And they did it there the hard way. You often need a bit of luck if you are to cause an upset in a cup competition but Ramblers didn’t use any of it. They can save it for the final with Derry City.

To a man, Cobh gave everything they had against a talented Dundalk side. Stephen Kenny made nine changes to the side that exited the Europa League last Thursday following their heavy defeat against AEK Larnaca.

It might be true that if Dundalk were playing the other club in Cork that many of this side wouldn’t be included but it was still a team full of quality.

From Daniel Cleary and Dane Massey in defence to Dylan Connolly and Ronan Murray further forward, this team possessed players that would walk into most SSE Airtricity League Premier Division clubs let alone the first division.

But they couldn’t live with Cobh’s work-rate, back to front every player gave their all for the shirt.

In goal, Adam Mylod was rarely threatened but when he was he dealt with the danger with ease.

The fullbacks Kevin Taylor and Ian Mylod added to the Ram’s solidary in defence.

The centre-back pairing of Gordan Walker and James McSweeney, standing at a combined age of 36, showed maturity beyond their years.

This was the fourth game the club has played in the EA Sports Cup, the second against a Premier Division side in this competition and they have yet to concede a goal.

Anchoring the midfield was the outstanding Ben O’Riordan and the recently resigned Shane O’Connor.

The latter returns to the club following spells at Waterford and Longford Town and provided the experienced head that the side needed.

The Liverpool academy graduate has yet to regain full fitness but his passing looked as good as ever and should help the side progress.

Further forward Denzil Fernandes and David Hurley both caused Dundalk’s rear-guard problems with their pace and their endless energy.

Then there was Stephen Christopher, arguably the pick of the entire bunch. He threatened to get on the scoresheet himself on a couple of occasions before he ultimately provided one of the best assists you are likely to see.

His control from Dane Massey’s stray pass was incredible but it was only bettered by his sublime defence-splitting pass which sent the match winner through on goal.

That match winner was Chris Hull. The striker had been struggling with asthma earlier in the match and was close to being substituted as temperatures on the day remained high.

But he raced onto Christopher’s through ball, left the Dundalk centre back’s eating his dust before coolly rolling the ball past the advancing keeper.

Craig Donnellan and Cian Leonard were called on from the bench late in proceedings and both played their part as Cobh held on to their slender lead.

And there’s the manager. He almost left his position at the beginning of May due to a lack of funds but in the middle of September, he will lead the club into their first ever major final.

He deserves it, his side deserves it and whatever happens, when they take on Derry City in the showpiece occasion, nothing will diminish this achievement.

Their names are etched in the club’s history forever but now they’re in it, they have to believe they can win it.

On the day this is published, Cobh face just three more games before that showdown with Kenny Shiels’ side.

They face two league games against UCD and Wexford Youths with the Athlone Town match now having to be refixed.

Those games will provide the players that missed out on Monday with an opportunity to stake a claim for that final which should see them climb the table and out of eight place where they currently lie.

They also face Dundalk in the FAI Cup this Friday which has become a massive match for the Lilywhites.

Having crashed out of two competitions in four days they need to bounce back quickly and get their season back on track.

But nonetheless, this moment belongs to Cobh Ramblers because this was arguably one of the greatest days in the clubs entire 96-year history.

But there is still the chance they could better it when they face Derry City in a few weeks.

Hopefully, the coin toss goes their way and the final will be held at St Colman’s Park. Then hopefully those joyous scenes at full time can be replicated.