Fran Rockett's Cobh Ramblers reign starts with heavy defeat to Wexford

First Division: Cobh Ramblers 0 Wexford 3

Wexford opened their 2026 campaign with a commanding 3-0 victory over Cobh Ramblers at St Colman’s Park.

Stephen Elliott’s side kept their shape and hit the hosts twice on the counter during the first half through Ryan Richie and Max Murphy before Jake Doyle added to this haul after the restart.

Wexford go top as a result after impressively defeating a Cobh outfit that was out to make a statement under new manager Fran Rockett.

The coach has already worked with his squad through bouts in the Munster Senior Cup and they created chances in the first time through Wilson Waweru and Kai O’Neill, but each time Paul Martin stepped up.

Wexford eventually broke in the 14th minute, and Richie finished this move with a right legged strike past Callum Chambers.

The Ramblers stayed composed but only troubled Martin once, with Waweru trying his luck from close range.

The visitors broke in response in the third minute of time added on in the first period and at the end of this was a foul leading to the penalty that was coolly put away by Murphy.

Cobh went to the bench in a bid to get something going, with loanee Rhys Brennan replacing Jason Abbott.

Once Jake Doyle hit the back of the net in the 49th minute, the game was over as the home side just did not know how to respond.

Cobh Ramblers: Chambers; Holohan, Buckley, Frahill, Griffin (Curtin 74); Abbott (Brennan HT), Coleman (Carroll 79), Gourdie, Waweru (Kelly Noonan 74), O'Neill (Lenihan 73), Osorio.

Wexford: Martin; Murphy, McCourt, Larkin, Verdon (Shuntaro Doyle 60); Abada, Wynne, Hartnett (Flynn 77), Richie (Hodgins 60), Doyle.

Referee: John Sconnie Walsh.