Cobh Ramblers' McDermott looking ahead to Dundalk after second defeat in a row

While the feeling from fans at St Colman’s Park was one of confusion and uncertainty, the club – not yet knowing fully the extent of their fate under FC32, remain positive.

That positivity took a hefty hit last Friday with a disappointing defeat at home to Wexford FC.

Mick McDermott’s side started well, but Wexford found a leveller before the break and were able to turn the tide early in the second half, when captain Shane Griffin was sent off and Wexford awarded a penalty.

From there it got worse.

“It’s not great to lose,” he began. “I thought once we scored the goal we had four or five chances in the first half, should have put one of them away.

“We conceded a poor one. If you don’t take your chances you’re allowing them to get back into it, and things don’t go well usually. When you’ve got a bit of momentum and you’re creating chances you’ve got to take them.

“To go in 1-1 at half time I thought okay, but I thought the penalty definitely has an influence on the game.” Was the red card that followed Alan Patchell’s decision to award a penalty justified?

SEEING RED

“At the time I thought no,” McDermott said. “I thought he just got inside him and he was leaning on him, but the ref said he pulled him. I haven’t seen the video so I can’t say.” 

In the wake of the red card, John O’Donovan was brought on with Jason Abbott the unlucky withdrawal as Cobh looked to find a solution after falling to 10 men.

“I think you saw when we went to three at the back and four across the middle and two up top, we actually started to play better.

“We were trying to get players through the middle that could still defend. We needed width, so we had to go four across and sacrifice,” he added. “The three at the back, I think it gave us a platform where we actually created chances in the second half as well.

“I thought we played some of the better football in the second half when we were down to 10 men. 

If we’d played with that enthusiasm from the start, I think we’d have won the game handy.

After falling to two defeats in a row, Ramblers next game is against league leaders Dundalk – and it’s one McDermott is looking forward to in particular.

“Can’t wait. Can’t wait, no better game to come after a defeat, then to go to the team at the top of the table. Looking forward to it.” 

With so much uncertainty surrounding the club, the media present were instructed to keep post-match reaction on the game itself rather than any off-field activity.

McDermott was also unwilling to comment on the performance of Mikie Rowe, with the former Cobh Ramblers winger winning and converting the penalty that allowed Wexford to move in front.

“I can’t comment on the other team, I’ll let their manager talk about their players.”