Cobh Ramblers host Kerry FC in another Munster derby

Cobh Ramblers will play their first home game of the season when Kerry FC visit St Colman’s Park this evening (7.45pm).

Mick McDermott’s side will go into this game on the back of a dramatic 3-2 win at Treaty United last week, and buoyant from a home win against Cork City in the Munster Senior Cup at the start of February.

These results fuel a growing sense of excitement in the town, which comes from a feeling of momentum brought by new owners FC32 and their recruitment over the winter.

That created a feelgood factor around the town and club, and everything clicked on opening night.

Treaty had led 2-0 through goals from Richkov Boevi and Lee Devitt, and it appeared that Tommy Barrett’s side were well on their way to a deserved three points.

Cian Coleman pulled one back for Cobh which ignited the rescue mission, and David Bosnjak was able to turn the chaotic energy in the ground during added time into an equaliser.

Then Cian Murphy got sight of goal, and the striker snatched the three points when he turned in a Cian Bargary cross at the near post.

It was manic, and now the team is getting ready for another Munster derby.

The Kingdom were at home to Finn Harps last Friday and Conor McCarthy’s side enjoyed a 2-0 victory at Mouthawk Park.

Joseph Adams opened the scoring midway through the first half and former Cork City player Niall Brookwell doubled their advantage after the break. Kerry’s cause was complicated by a late red card shown to Adams, but it wasn’t enough to spark Harps to life.

GROWING RIVALRY

That result just adds to the excitement going into tonight’s match-up at St Colman’s Park, especially with the growing rivalry between two clubs that faced each other six times last year across three competitions.

They met four times in the league and in both cup competitions, and Kerry were successful in the knockout fixtures.

It looked like that pattern was going to continue this season when the two teams crossed paths in the Munster Senior Cup Round of 16, with The Kingdom racing into a 2-0 lead.

Ramblers got themselves back into the tie with Waterford native Shane Griffin and Jason Abbott scoring at the start of the second half. The game was decided in extra time when John O’Donovan netted the winner, following Oran Crowe’s late equaliser after an own-goal gave the East Cork side a slender advantage.

That result was sweet as it made sure the year started on the right note. McDermott’s players immediately moved on from that night in Tralee and qualified for the semi-finals by defeating Cork City at St Colman’s Park, with one eye on the first league game.

Ramblers enjoyed that, and the team is now focused on maintaining a title challenge.