Rams travel Bray as they look to secure third in the table

TONIGHT, Cobh Ramblers travel to the east coast to take on Bray Wanderers in their penultimate away fixture of the 2023 League of Ireland First Division season.

Ian Ryan’s Bray currently sit at 10 points outside the play-off places, while Shane Keegan’s Ramblers boast an impressive 16-point advantage over Longford, who sit just outside the play-off spots in sixth.

The Rams emerged 5-1 winners in their last game against Finn Harps, with Mikie Rowe and man of the match Jack Doherty both netting braces, while Tipperary man Matthew McKevitt managed first goal involvement for the club with a composed finish.

Lee Steacy also impressed on the evening, denying Harps’ skipper Tony McNamee from the penalty spot late on.

Bray on the other hand have now gone three games without a win as they failed to take points from Wexford in the Coastal derby, despite Cole Omorehiomwan’s equaliser, as Cian O’Malley’s late strike gave Wexford all three points.

Bray must hope that results go their way in coming days, as they can only afford to drop two points, or any hope at a playoff spot will be eliminated.

It was Wilson Waweru who stole the headlines the first time these two faced off this season, as he scored the winner in a 2-1 win for the Rams. The Seagulls have failed to beat Cobh in their three meetings so far this campaign, drawing at home and away. Cobh Ramblers are unbeaten in their last six meetings with Bray.

Bray’s last win over the Rams was in March last year, as they scraped by in a 1-0 win at St Colman’s Park. 

Looking ahead to this fixture in his post-match interview last week, Shane Keegan said; “The big thing is we just can’t drop our standards, because anytime you do, you can be sure you won’t get anything from the game.

“The fact we’re now qualified, maybe we’ll have wiggle room in terms of moving the line-up around a little bit.

“It’s been quite frustrating for some players for the last few weeks because we’re winning games, the lineup has hardly changed at all,” he explained. “So, it might give a little bit of opportunity there, but at the same time, not to the detriment of results.” There’s a strong chance that Liam Kervick will make his return to the Rams line-up tonight, as he has been ready to go, but prohibited from playing due to the cast protecting his wrist.

Pierce Phillips is back training on grass but will likely miss tonight’s fixture, Although he is in with a chance of featuring next week. Tiernan O’Brien will be sidelined for up to five weeks, after his injury against Waterford a fortnight ago.