Cobh Ramblers head to Wexford hoping to make it nine league games unbeaten

Cobh Ramblers will aim to make it nine league games unbeaten this evening when they face Wexford FC at Ferrycarrig Park, 7.45pm.

This is the only thing Mick McDermott and his players can do as they need Dundalk to drop if there is to be a title decider on the final day at St Colman’s Park.

As things stand, just six points separate the two teams with just five games left to play.  The Ramblers have already secured a place in the play-offs, which is a massive boost for a club aiming to play top-flight football for the first time since 2008.

The good thing for Cobh is that they go into the run-in with form on their side after recording five wins and three draws in their last eight league games, with the only blip being a defeat to Kerry FC in the FAI Cup at Mounthawk Park.

The Ramblers faced Treaty United last time out at St Colman’s Park and the team enjoyed a 3-0 victory over their Munster rivals.

GOLDEN

Dylan McGlade scored a brace that night and Barry Coffey recorded his 21st goal of the season with a penalty at the end of the first half.

That put the midfielder three clear in the race for the Golden Boot with Wexford’s Mikie Rowe just behind the Tipperary native with 18 tallied. 

Lee Devitt is next in the charts with 14 from his time with Treaty United this term, and Daryl Horgan has knocked in 10. The most interesting stat is the record of assists as Cobh dominate the list of creators, with Waterford’s Shane Griffin sitting on top of the pack with seven. 

Cian Coleman and Cian Bargary are behind the winger, with Coffey in fifth place according to FAI Connect. This is individual proof of the club’s transformation, into a well-rounded unit that has multiple players able to put the ball into the back of the net.

The Ramblers are now in contention for automatic promotion, despite the six point gap between themselves and Dundalk, and everyone at St Colman’s Park is just delighted to be involved at the business end of the season.

“It is great to be involved in a title race – for the club and the community and all the rest of it,” assistant manager Richie Holland said.

“[It is great] that we are here and with the last couple of games we are in with a shot. 

We’re up against a club that has a lot of history behind it and in recent times has played in Europe and won leagues and cups. 

"We knew when Dundalk were going to be in the league it was going to be a tough task but we’re still there and looking forward to it.” 

The Lilywhites will be in action against Longford Town on Saturday at Bishopsgate, and that will be followed by a meeting with an in-form UCD at Oriel Park while Cobh host Finn Harps.