League Preview: Cabinteely -v- Cobh Ramblers

Eighth takes on nineth as Cabinteely welcome Cobh Ramblers to Stradbrook on Friday night in the SSE Airtricity First Division (kick-off 7:45pm).

CABINTEELY           

Cabinteely will be aiming to end a run of six games without a win when they take on Cobh Ramblers. Cabo have only managed to pick up a point since they beat Treaty United 4-1 in August.

First team manager Pat Devlin is hoping the luck that he feels has deserted his team in recent times will come knocking on Friday.

“It’s been unfortunate not to have results go our way in recent weeks, a bit of bad luck here and there. But overall, I can’t fault the effort the lads have put in. All we want now is lady luck to shine on us a bit more. And give us the breaks we fully deserve.”

Devlin is under no illusions this will be a tough encounter after what he sees as a difficult season.

“It’s been a tough season. A difficult season in many ways, between injuries, Covid and all sorts of different situations being put in front of us. But we have to get on with it. Cobh are a good side.”

Cabinteely will have to plan without Keith Dalton who is suspended. Kieran Marty Waters is out injured.

COBH RAMBLERS

While Cabinteely haven’t won in six games, Cobh Ramblers haven’t won in the last eight games, picking up only two points. Their last win came against Cabinteely thanks to a single Conor Drinan goal.

Talking to cobhramblers.ie, Cobh boss Darren Murphy is focused on trying to pick up as many points as they can in the three remaining fixtures and says his team are ready for the challenge.

“Last week was tough to take. It’s a defeat at home. But we’ve got to drive forward. The lads are ready to go again and keep working hard. We’ll go up on Friday looking to progress even more and get a result. All we can do is our best when we get there.

We’ve three games left. There are points there for us. Cabinteely are a good side, I know Pat Devlin very well. They are a bit like us, honest, hard-working lads, maybe not the biggest budget. It should be a good game and a real battle between the teams.”

Murphy will be without the suspended duo of Nathan O’Connell and Regix Madika who both received red cards last week against Galway. Charlie Lyons remains absent through injury while Pierce Phillips, Conor Drinan and Sean Barron remain doubts.

Referee: Rob Dowling

MATCH STATS

Cobh Ramblers and Cabinteely have faced each other 22 times since the Dublin side entered the league in 2015. Cobh have recorded ten wins over Cabo’s nine with only three games ending in a draw.

Cobh Ramblers joined the League of Ireland in 1985, 30 years before Cabinteely who joined in 2015.

In each of the previous games this season only one goal was scored. In both games, that goal was scored in the 87th minute by the home side.   

The highest scoring game between these sides was in March 2017 when Cabinteely ran out 4-1 winners. 

There has never been a draw of the same scoreline between these sides in the league. 0-0, 1-1 and 2-2 have been the results when the game ended all square (Oct 2021, Aug 2019 and June 2019). 

PREDICTION

1-0 home win (in the 87th minute)

Cabinteely

Injured: Kieran Marty Waters 

Doubtful: None

Suspended: Keith Dalton

Cobh Ramblers

Injured: Charlie Lyons

Doubtful: Pierce Phillips, Conor Drinan, Sean Barron

Suspended: Regix Madika, Nathan O’Connell, Ian Turner