Cobh Ramblers must get play-off ambitions back on track against Wexford at St Colman's Park 

Cobh Ramblers will aim to snap their five match winless run when they welcome Wexford to St Colman’s Park this evening, 7.45pm.

The club go into this game with their place in the play-off conversation under threat as their recent run of form has left them in sixth place with Kerry, Athlone Town, and Treaty United in pursuit.

What complicates matters is their current position as they are level on points with Wexford and Longford Town, with the three clubs separated by goal difference.

Cobh will try and set the record straight on a double game weekend, that will include a meeting with Kerry FC on Monday at Mounthawk Park.

This comes at the turn of the traditional Irish calendar of summer into autumn, and August marks the beginning of the end of the season as there are just ten games left after this weekend.

Suddenly there is a very real sense of jeopardy in a campaign that came to life in May as Cobh went as high as fourth after recording their first league victory over Cork City at the Munster FA Turner’s Cross Stadium.

Then came the midseason break and Cobh came back with a run that saw just one win in six outings, despite good performances against Waterford in the FAI Cup and Bray Wanderers in the league at St Colman’s Park.

Cobh manager Fran Rockett is more than aware of his side’s form, and how the club have stumbled through June and July. 

The coach is eager to set things right after seeing their small cushion in the play-offs evaporate, and he wants his players to seize the opportunity that the remaining games this season present.

“It’s a big game next week and we’re after using up the points cushion that we had,” he said.

“Now it is about manning up and moving on, and grasp it. These are opportunities.” 

Moving on

Cobh will now prepare for Wexford down another body, following Shane Griffin’s retirement from professional football last week.

The full-back joins a small battalion to step away from St Colman’s Park, with membership also including Jason Abbott, Garry Buckley, Claudio Osario, and Corey Chambers. Rhys Brennan is also in that group as his loan deal expired midway through July and he returned to Bohemians.

The good news is that Callum Honohan’s loan from Shamrock Rovers has been extended until the end of the season, and new signing Jordan Adeyemi is expected to be fit again after missing last Friday through injury.

The midfielder is expected to play some part against a Wexford side that will make the journey to St Colman’s Park fifth in the table, buoyant from last weekend’s victory over Longford Town at Bishopsgate.

Stephen Elliott’s side have form on their side, with just one defeat recorded in their previous five outings. 

That was to St Patrick’s Athletic in the FAI Cup at Richmond Park, when the home side scored a 90th-minute winner.

This run has helped Wexford climb up the table and get into the play-off places, as they currently sit in fourth with 31 points collected.

Elliott’s side also know how to beat Cobh, as they have a 100% record against their south-east rivals this season after two meetings in the spring.

The first was on Opening Night and Wexford enjoyed a comfortable 3-0 victory at St Colman’s Park. 

The return fixture saw goals from Mikie Rowe and Gavin Hodgins, in what was a straightforward affair under the lights at Ferrycarrig Park. Ramblers could not lay a glove in both games, something they will look to set right on Friday.

There’s also the added spectre of their ambitions for the season, and where do they want to end up in October.

The club has flirted before with becoming a consistent presence in the play-offs, only to fall away once key players leave. 

The Ramblers have a chance to change that this year, by qualifying for the third time in four seasons. The only way they can do that is by getting points against their rivals, and finishing strong.