Cobh Ramblers win Munster Senior Cup with comfortable victory over Rockmount

Cobh Ramblers 2

Rockmount 0

Cobh Ramblers lifted the Grandons Toyota Munster Senior Cup at Turner’s Cross on Monday evening following a 2-0 victory over Rockmount.

Mick McDermott’s side were relentless and first half goals from Waterford native Shane Griffin and David Bosnjak sealed the win.

Rockmount were out to upset the odds, and go one better than their defeat of defending champions Waterford in the semi-finals in Whitechurch.

The Ramblers simply had too much, with their first goal coming after Oisin Barry parried a Samuel Bellis shot inside the box in the 12th minute. Griffin was in the right place on that occasion, and the midfielder hit the back of the net from close range.

Cobh went up a gear once they went in front, and this drive was led by James O’Leary. 

This began with a stunning strike going just over the bar and it included a cross almost getting turned in by Rockmount’s Cian Murphy at the Shed End.

The Munster Senior League side finally broke in the 35th minute and Ian Mylod’s run ended with a stern challenge by the Cobh defence. 

The Ramblers went on to finish the half with a flourish and out of their pressure came Bosnjak’s goal, a neat tap in from a corner in the dying seconds before the break.

McDermott reacted to this advantage by bringing on Barry Coffey and Luka Le Bervet after the restart, which only added more pace into the Cobh team.

With that came further chances, including a close range effort by Bellis that was blocked down in the box. 

Coffey did score during this frantic spell, but the midfielder’s effort was chalked off as he was offside in the build-up.

Rockmount pushed up late on, and an opportunity to pull a goal back was poked wide by Kieran Keneally at the back post in the 75th minute.

The Ramblers responded by closing the game out by passing the ball around, something helped by substitute Jonas Hakkinen coming forward and boosting numbers in the middle of the park.

Rockmount were defeated, and their season will continue on Thursday with a game with Ringmahon Rangers in the Beamish Stout Senior Cup. 

As for Cobh, it’s all about continuing their promotion push in the League of Ireland First Division by defeating Athlone Town in Lissywollen this Friday night.

Cobh Ramblers: Timothy Martin; Nolan Evers, Brendeán Frahill, Cian Coleman, John O’Donovan, Dale Holland (Barry Coffey HT), Jason Abbott, James O’Leary, David Bosnjak, Shane Griffin (Niall O’Keeffe 55), Samuel Bellis.

Subs: Barry Coffey for Holland (HT); Niall O’Keeffe for Griffin (55), Luka Le Bervet for O’Leary (55), Jonas Hakkinen for Coleman (66), Cian Murphy for Bellis (75).

Rockmount: Oisin Barry; Martin Connolly, Kenneth Hoey, Adam Crowley, Cian Murphy, James O’Connell, Ian Mylod, Danny Aherne, Niall Hanley, Alex Anthony O’Brien, Shane Barry.

Subs: Kieran Keneally for O’Brien (55); Jonathan Hanafin for O’Connell (62), Evan Galvin for Barry (82), Eoin Murphy for Hanley (87).

Referee: Lucas Keating.