Cobh look to end season on high ahead of play-off promotion push

Cobh Ramblers will warm up for the play-offs by playing First Division champions Dundalk in their final league game at St Colman’s Park, 7.45pm.

Mick McDermott's side have nothing to aim for but pride as their far-away rivals wrapped up the title last week with a 3-0 victory over Finn Harps at Oriel Park.

The Ramblers are now preparing for the play-offs, with full knowledge of the state of play as Cobh will be drawn against the team sitting in fifth place and the second leg of the two-legged tie will take place at St Colman’s Park.

This is a small victory, with the important thing now managing the comedown as tonight’s game would have been a title decider had results gone their way over the last few weeks.

Dundalk were six points clear of Cobh between June and October, despite numerous slip-ups and draws. The Lilywhites survived losses to Finn Harps and Bray Wanderers, and this put them in poll position to seal the title last Friday on home soil.

That means tonight is a dead rubber, as both teams have nothing to play for.

The thing for Cobh is momentum and making sure the club go into the play-offs with a buzz as opposed to a stinging sense of regret after hunting down Dundalk over the last couple of months.

Their entire operation is now about knock-out football, where you win or go home.

It doesn’t matter that Cobh finished the season comfortably in second place or saw Barry Coffey take home the golden boot with over 25 goals scored, their entire season will be decided over a two-week period.

The last time the club was in this position was in 2023, when they faced Wexford in the promotion play-off semi-finals.

The Shane Keegan-managed Cobh side won 3-1 on aggregate, with James O’Leary scoring in the second leg as it finished 1-1 on the Saturday of the October Bank Holiday Weekend at St Colman’s Park.

Waterford were one step too far for them, with the eventual play-off winners getting the victory in extra-time after Matthew McKevitt equalised in the 88th minute at the Shed End in Turner’s Cross.

MOMENTUM

The big thing that season for the club that season was momentum as Cobh went into the play-offs on a three-match unbeaten run that saw draws with Wexford and Kerry, and a victory over Longford Town.

They actually had just one defeat during their last eight games, against Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds.

The feelgood factor around the club remains the same two years on, even with the disappointment of narrowly missing out on the league title to Dundalk.

The Ramblers are now building once again towards a play-off push, the important thing is to exercise any lingering demons are coming so close to winning the biggest prize of all.

Cobh had an opportunity to create something like that last week, but they were downed by Longford Town at Bishopsgate.

This week is a fresh start, despite there being nothing to play for at St Colman’s Park. The carrot is a good performance and getting the fans excited for what will be a huge two weeks for everyone connected with the club.