League Report: Galway United 3 - 0 Cobh Ramblers

Paul Corcoran reports from Eamonn Deacy Park

Galway United reduced the gap at the top of the First Division to just one point when they ran out 3-0 winners over Cobh Ramblers on Friday night.

Stephen Walsh scored in either half, and Rob Manley scored on his debut to give the Tribesmen a second win in a row and set up an incredibly important top of the table clash with Cork City next Friday night.

John Caulfield made just one change to his starting line-up from their 1-0 win over Waterford last weekend, midseason loan signing James Finnerty started in defence in place of the injured Killian Brouder.  The Tribesmen’s two other new signings, Rob Manley and Mark Russell were both named on the bench, with both making their debuts for the club in the second half.

Cobh Ramblers announced no less than five changes to their starting team from their loss to Treaty United last week with new manager Shane Keegan possibly trying to work out his best eleven at this early stage of his tenure as manager.

Darragh Burke, Jason Abbott, Darragh O’Sullivan-Connell, James O’Leary and the returning Charlie Fleming all started the game in place of Sean Barron, John Kavanagh, Ben O’Riordan, Liam Hopkins and Luke Desmond.

The visitors went close in the opening minutes when a lovely through ball from the Cobh defence found Danny O’Connell on the run in Galway’s box, Conor Kearns hesitated off his line, but he managed to come in the end and deflect the shot behind for a corner.

Francely Lomboto came close to a clear-cut chance for the home side in the 16^th minute when his quick feet allowed him to cut across Harlain Mbayo inside the Cobh box, the defender did well to react so quickly with a clean last ditch tackle to dispossess the striker and send the ball to safety.

Referee Eoghan O’Shea waved away a penalty shout by the home side in the 24^th minute when David Hurley found Lomboto with a great long ball in the box, Mbayo gave chase and appeared to foul the striker as he won the ball but there was no spot kick forthcoming for United.

The Tribesmen just had to wait until the half hour mark to make the breakthrough however, Ed McCarthy struck a nice cross from the right-wing finding Stephen Walsh who nodded the ball into the net for his first goal in four games.

James O’Leary had a chance to bring the sides level in the 36^th minute when he beat out Conor McCormack for pace, the midfielder took the ball deep into the box before rifling a shot off and drawing a save from Kearns.

Charlie Lyons came close to doubling the lead just before halftime when he met a cross from David Hurley in the box, Burke made the save but the defender was able to have another crack, Cobh centre back Bredan Frahill was on hand to clear the ball off the line, however.

Half time substitute Max Hemmings got involved as soon as he was introduced on the right wing, he had a shot five minutes into the half saved by Burke, and another minutes later that glanced the crossbar.

Walsh had two chances to add to his tally before the hour mark, he was set up by Lomboto first, but the striker fluffed his shot wide with the goal at his mercy, and then minutes later a Conor McCormack corner kick found the forward in the box, but his header hit the woodwork.

Despite the frustration, United managed to find that second goal in the 67^th minute with substitute Rob Manley scoring on his debut having signed earlier in the week.

Alex Murphy in a parting gift before he departs for Newcastle United struck a peach of a cross from the left wing, finding Manley who rose high in the box to score his fourth goal of the season, and the first for his new club.

Murphy was involved again for Galway’s third goal when he threaded a tidy ball through to Manley in the 82^nd minute. The striker had his blistering shot saved by Burke but the ball fell into the path of Walsh who doubled his tally for the night.

The much talked about left back’s last act of the night was to receive a standing ovation as he left the pitch for the last time when Mark Russell replaced the Galway native in the 85^th minute. Murphy made his debut for the Tribesmen just over a year ago as a 16 year old and he departs in the coming days to link up with English Premier League side Newcastle United.

For Galway, the promotion race continues with a trip to Turner’s Cross to face top of the table Cork City next Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm).

Galway United: Conor Kearns; James Finnerty, Charlie Lyons, Alex Murphy (Mark Russell 85), Conor O'Keeffe; David Hurley (Mikie Rowe 85), Edward McCarthy, Conor McCormack (c) (Gary Boylan 85); Manu Dimas (Max Hemmings 46), Francely Lomboto (Rob Manley 56), Stephen Walsh.

Subs not used: Matthew Connor, Evan O'Connor, Diego Portilla, Wilson Waweru.

Booked: Conor McCormack (41), Stephen Walsh (90).

Cobh Ramblers: Darragh Burke; Charlie Fleming, Brendan Frahill, Harlain Mbayo, James O'Leary (John Kavanagh 80), Darragh O'Sullivan-Connell; Jason Abbott (Dale Holland 85), Conor Drinan (Luke Desmond 68), Jake Hegarty, Danny O'Connell (Beineon O'Brien Whitmarsh 68); Sean McGrath (Tiernan O'Brien McAllister 85).

Subs not used: James McCarthy, Liam Hopkins, Ben O'Riordan, Justin Eguaibor.

Booked: Jason Abbott (25) Harlain Mbayo (90).

Referee: Eoghan O’Shea.

Attendance: 1,200 (estimate)

extratime.com Player of the Match: Alex Murphy (Galway United)