League Preview: Cobh Ramblers -v- Longford Town

Jack Doherty scored Cobh Ramblers winner on Saturday night

Rams star Jack Doherty in action against Waterford. Credit: Liam Coughlan (ETPhotos)

COBH RAMBLERS

The Rams welcome Longford Town to St Colman’s Park (kick-off 7.45pm) safe in the knowledge their play-off spot is already secure.

Shane Keegan’s side fell to a 2-1 defeat away to Bray Wanderers last time out but had already guaranteed their spot with a 5-1 thumping of Finn Harps at home seven days earlier.

First-half goals from Chris Lyons and Conor Knight - younger brother of Ireland star Jason - had the Seagulls cruising last week before Justin Eguaibor scored a late consolation.

Results in their final three games of the regular season will determine their opposition in the play-offs, with Wexford next week a possible rehearsal for a two-legged tie.

“To be coming into Friday with our play-off spot already secured is beyond my wildest dreams to be honest about it,” said Keegan.

“As we started the second half of the season I was fully of the belief that we’d be heading into the final night needing three points. 

“So to be well ahead of that is a fantastic achievement. We can’t let our standards drop now. There are significant advantages to finishing third. 

“To have that play-off second leg at Cobh Ramblers would be a massive plus. We’ve been there for so long we don’t want to let it slip.

“We did slip up last weekend in Bray. The players will tell you individually that they weren’t up to their usual levels. 



“Longford will come down here fighting tooth and nail for every possible point. The games this year have been incredibly tight and I expect tonight to be the exact same. 

“They’re a good side with tremendous quality. Magerusan as probably been their stand-out player along with Viktor Sredeniuk in midfield and Jack Brady in goal. 

“There’s no way that this will be an easy game. We’d love to have a good strong crowd behind us again for these last two games.”

The Rams will be without Brendeán Frahill and Dale Holland, who serve one-match bans, but Tiernan O’Brien is available again after recovering from injury.

LONGFORD TOWN

Longford Town’s mathematical chances of making the play-offs all but ended with a surprise 3-2 reverse at home to Treaty United last week.



Stephen Henderson’s charges conceded all three goals inside 14 second-half minutes to usher in another season in the second tier.

Dylan Hand cancelled out Conor Barry’s opener for Treaty shortly after the break before quickfire strikes from Adam Lennon and Barry sealed it despite Derek Daly pulling one back.

Referee: Marc Lynch.

MATCH STATS

The Rams have gotten the better of the three meetings between the sides this season, with two 1-0 wins following a scoreless draw in Bishopsgate.

Wilson Waweru netted the decisive goal in both of those wins and will be keen to make it an unusual treble on Friday night.

BETTING

Cobh Ramblers 3/4; Draw 13/5; Longford Town 14/5.

PREDICTION

Cobh Ramblers 3 – 1 Longford Town

Cobh Ramblers

Injured: Tiernan O’Brien.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Brendeán Frahill, Dale Holland.

Longford Town

Injured: Shane Elworth, Aaron Walsh.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

About Dave Donnelly

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