Cobh Ramblers look to stabilise at UCD after recent run of draws 

Cobh Ramblers will aim to record just their second win of the season when they face UCD at Belfield this evening, kick-off 7.45pm.

The theme of the night is turning wins into draws after recent results against Finn Harps, Cork City, and Bray Wanderers. 

This has left Fran Rockett's side ninth in the table with five points collected.

Their position means very little as it is still very early days, with just five points separating second from Cobh near the end of the first round of fixtures.

Rockett’s describes this situation as a need to ‘stabilise’ he gets ready to make the trip to Dublin to face UCD.

“They are very good side - we've watched them in our analysis,” he said.

“We double up, we watch teams and we take turns and stuff like that. Technically a really, really good side.

“They like to play. When I say play, they like to build up and go through the thirds on it. 

"It's going to be another massive test but I think we're in a position where we need to stabilise.

“We're coming from a loss and we're out there drawing [with Bray Wanderers]. I think there's more in this team, a bit more clinical nature in the final third and I think we can really trouble them but we've got to believe. 

"Looking at the performance against Bray in terms of the endeavour and all that kind of stuff, I'm delighted.

“We just need to add that little bit of quality to things and I think we'll be a match for anything.” 

The important thing for Cobh at this moment in time is finding squad cohesion and a settled XI where everyone knows their place. 

This has been a slow process through February and March as they tinkered with various formations, with the most recent idea a 3-5-2 for the game with Bray Wanderers.

There were signs of progress, most notably the performance of Lucas Curtin against Billy O'Neill. 

The full-back kept the Ireland underage international quiet for the whole evening, and his reward was being named Player of the Match.

“I think we're looking at a serious left-sided player,” Rockett said.

“Physicality-wise, attacking-wise, defending, playing against young Billy O'Neill who's an Irish international.

“I thought Lucas was absolutely unblemished. In the last two games, he's been phenomenal. 

"You have to look at it. Luka Le Bervet is out at the minute and then Lucas comes in and he does that job. 

"I couldn't be prouder of him but I think he's going in the right direction. I think we're seeing probably the birth of a serious left-sided player, at left-back.” 

The Ramblers are still working on finding that core unit given the number injuries in the squad. 

Luka Le Bervet is one, with the right back sidelined with a hamstring issue, and Shane T. Griffin is still absent but out of a boot.

Those are picked will face a version of UCD sitting in fourth place with seven points. 

The Students thing is their stuttering form as they have just one win from their last five games.

This follows a transformative offseason for the club after they lost Ronan Finn and Adam Brennan over the winter. 

It meant the tone for the first few months of 2026 is rebuilding and there’s already signs of progress in Belfield based off recent results and performances.

Last week’s encounter with Cork City saw exactly that, despite UCD doing down to a 52nd minute Cillian Murphy goal.

The Students looked dangerous on the counter attack against the league leaders, with Stephen Mohan a reoccurring source of frustration for the Rebel Army. 

Louis Dignam was another one who kept getting into space, and he saw an early stunning strike go straight into the hands of Conor Brann.

The Students pushed and probed but were unable to hit the back of the net, while City just needed one.

The important thing for UCD is to know what they can do, something Cobh need to beware of when making the trip to Belfield. 

It could be an ambush, as O’Connor’s players look to respond from the Cork City game.