Cobh Ramblers want to keep momentum going away to UCD

Cobh Ramblers face one of their toughest away trips of the season this evening when they take on UCD in Belfield, 7.45pm.

Fran Rockett and his players will make the journey to Dublin buoyant following last week’s come-from-behind victory over Finn Harps at St Colman’s Park, a result that tightened their grip on the play-off places after Wexford and Longford Town dropped points.

The coach is simply thrilled with his side’s form after coming off a rough start to the season, where they went seven games without a win, and he is firmly focused on building on Cobh’s form as they prepare for bouts with UCD in Belfield and Cork City at St Colman’s Park.

Now is about keeping momentum going, as the club gets ready for the second half of a campaign that could end in play-off football for the third time in four seasons.

“Yeah, momentum is massive,” Rockett said. “Look, there are two games that are winnable for us, I think you'd be apprehensive about the games over some of our performances at the start of the season in particularly but now is a game where we're going up and we've got to back ourselves and there's nothing to lose, you know what I mean?

“I think from now on we have an objective and intentions for the rest of the season and I think there's a renewed confidence within the group now. We're getting players back probably at the right time but it's no letting up now, we've got to go up there full of confidence against UCD.” 

BACK IN FORM

There was a different atmosphere around St Colman’s Park as winter thawed into spring, as the club struggled to turn draws into wins.

There’s a much different feel around the squad now, a mood enhanced by a number of key players returning from injury and to form. Wilson Waweru is one. The striker returned to St Colman’s Park this year after scoring 13 goals in 28 games in 2023. 

It took some time for the forward to re-establish his form and he can now boast four goals in four games, a haul that includes a brace during last week’s 3-1 victory over Finn Harps at St Colman’s Park.

Rockett places Waweru’s form into the wider context of his squad, which also includes a fully-fit Shane T Griffin, the midfielder who registered seven goals and seven assists last year.

“I think we would have been in a really good place at the minute,” he said.

“With Wilson scoring the two goals, we're delighted. He got off the mark a couple of weeks back and that he's after capitalising on it now but he should have had a few more as well.” 

 Wilson’s form has helped Cobh record just one defeat in their last five games, a wider run that involves just four losses in their last 13 outings.

The Students have been a persistent source of frustration despite their form, beginning with a 4-0 hammering at Belfield last March.

This continued in May as UCD came from behind to defeat Cobh 2-1 at St Colman’s Park, a game that saw Rhys Brennan score just before halftime and the visitors snatch the three points with goals from Ciaran Behan and Breandán Frahill hitting the back of his own net.

The Students are now second in the table, 15 points from runaway leaders Cork City with 20 games played.

Will O’Connor’s side have stuttered in recent weeks, and allowed the Rebel Army to take a commanding lead at the summit, after recording just two league wins in their last six games.

This trend saw defeats incurred to Cork City, Bray Wanderers, Wexford, before they snapped back with results against Athlone Town and Finn Harps. Kerry visited Belfield last week and Colin Healy’s side ground out a 1-0 victory with Cian Brosnan scoring the winner.

Cobh will eye their form and see a chance for points, as they prepare for a crucial week in their season.