Barry Coffey hits a hat-trick as Cobh Ramblers outclass Finn Harps
Barry Coffey celebrates after completing his first-half hat-trick for Cobh Ramblers against Finn Harps in the SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division at Colman's Park. Picture: Chani Anderson
Barry Coffey netted a first-half hat-trick and Cian Bargary got one as Cobh Ramblers defeated Finn Harp at St Colman’s Park.
There was no movement at the top of the table, with Mick McDermott’s side stuck in second following Dundalk’s come-from-behind victory over UCD at Oriel Park.
The important thing for Cobh is that the club bounced back from their loss to Wexford and they did so by blowing their far rivals away with a near-perfect performance on home soil.
The Ramblers were aggressive and managed to win two corners early on through good work down the right by Iestyn Hughes and Coffey. These were small openings, but a statement of intent that forced Harps to take a step back.
What helped this was Jonas Hakkinen coming forward to add numbers to midfield, which helped to keep possession as Cobh advanced. This paid off with a Coffey header at the near post off a Bargary cross and the home side took the lead in the 10th minute.
The Ramblers won a free-kick within seconds of the restart and Dylan McGlade stung the palms of Lorenzo Piaia by forcing the goalkeeper into a low save. Kieran Cooney offered some sort of a response for Finn Harps, with a tame effort that went well over the bar at the Liam McMahon Stand.
Cobh continued to attack, with their next incursion coming from a free-kick on the edge of the box won off a foul on Hughes. McGlade managed to create a moment of chaos by dropping the ball in, and despite Hakkinen working with Cian Coleman to keep this drive alive, it came to nothing.
The second goal came in the 24th minute with an unmarked Coffey stabbing in a low Hughes cross at the back post.
McGlade wanted in on the action with his next touch, and this was pushed away with a diving save by Piaia.
The visitors rarely had these kind of moments, whereas everything felt so easy for Cobh. This showed with their third as Coffey was able to nod the ball in after the Finn Harps goalkeeper misjudged a cross in the 33rd minute.
Hans Mpongo pulled one back with a right-footed breakaway strike before half-time and the home side went in leading 3-1.
The Ramblers wanted more, with their first opportunity of the second half falling to McGlade and the winger’s effort was pushed away by a diving Piaia.
Coffey and Gourdie also tried their luck during this period, their problem was finding the target.
Bargary eventually got through by half volleying the ball in with his right boot after a free-kick dropped to him inside the area in the 88th minute.
Timothy Martin; Iestyn Hughes, Cian Coleman, Jonas Hakkinen, John O’Donovan, Niall O’Keeffe, Rhys Gourdie, Cian Bargary, Barry Coffey, Dylan McGlade, Cian Murphy.
Samuel Bellis for McGlade (87); Harvey Cribb for O’Keeffe (90), Mikey Carroll for Gourdie (90), Matthew Whelan for Murphy (90).
Lorenzo Piaia; Josh Cullen, Max Hutchinson, Daniel Cunningham, Kieran Cooney, Oran Brogan, Tony McNamee, Gradi Lomboto, Gavin McAteer, Idir Yacine Zerrouk, Hans Mpongo.
Gavin Hodgins for Lomboto (64).
Daniel Murphy
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