Cobh Ramblers under pressure to get result against Bray as play-off race enters final weeks 

Under pressure Cobh Ramblers will need to get a result against Bray Wanderers this evening at the Carlisle Grounds if they want to stay in the play-off conversation, kick-off 7:45pm.

Their destiny is in their own hands but they are in a battle with UCD, Kerry, Longford Town, Athlone Town, and Wexford to finish in the top five.

Fran Rockett's side are in fifth, with nine points separating third and eighth. The decisive game for Cobh will be next week against Kerry at St. Colman's Park, a Munster Derby that could decide their entire season.

The Ramblers are now trying to get an elusive result at the Carlisle Grounds, the home of the only team that can say they will be in the play-offs.

Paul Heffernan's side still need a point, something they should achieve from their remaining games with Cobh, Wexford, and Finn Harps.

The Ramblers on the other hand can only control what they can control, which is maximising their return from their remaining three outings this season.

Rockett is taking it game by game, with a group of players that are ‘bouncing back into training’ every Monday.

“I think we take one game at a time but I think we're already bouncing back into training,” he explained.

“It's a real positive vibe around the place but it's one game at a time. We can't get carried away with ourselves because this thing could change 360 if we don't make sure we do our due diligence on every team we play.” 

Rockett is now preparing for Bray, a team that reached last year’s promotion play-off final and lost to Waterford.

“I was watching Bray before the Athlone game,” Rockett said.

“We watch teams every week and you know what they're about. You know the personnel that they have and the shape and the style of play I suppose.

“But I think it comes back to your own team and maximising the potential of your own team. And understanding that, patching them up after games, making sure everyone's at 100% with bit of health. 

"So, then you can interject and you can go and employ your game plan depending on the personnel that you have.” 

One player that Rockett is sure will have an impact is midfielder Rhys Gourdie.

“He is excellent and he us up there as one of the best players in this league – there’s no doubt about it,” he said.

“The potential he has is frightening. The running ability he has, the technical ability he has, and leadership qualities. You ask him to speak at the end of the game, and he has it all.

“One of those high level players in this division that is going from strength to strength. 

"The next three games are going to be interesting for Rhys because he is at that level where he is putting himself as one of the best players in this league. 

"It’s a great opportunity for him to go and show it in the next three games.” 

Rockett is now pouring over the details about Bray, a team that will go into the meeting with Cobh unbeaten in three.

This follows victories over Kerry, Treaty United, and UCD, which has elevated Heffernan’s side up to second in the table.

These results have lifted Bray, but they form part of an overall pattern where the club goes from flying high to struggling for form. 

This has been endemic throughout the autumn as August began with successive losses to Kerry and Wexford, and a victory over Finn Harps was met with defeats to Longford Town and Athlone Town.

Cobh know what Bray can do when they find form. The Ramblers were beaten 5-1 on their last visit to the Carlisle Grounds and they suffered 2-1 defeat last time out at St. Colman’s Park.

There was a scored draw earlier in the season on the Great Island, with a late Jason Abbott penalty cancelling out a strike from Jamie Duggan on the half hour mark.

Cobh will need more than that if they are to get a result and keep their play-off dreams intact, without the need for favours in other league games.