Cobh Ramblers 1 - 2 Cherry Orchard

• Simon O'Gorman
• Sat, Apr 16 2011


Second half goals from Ian McNeill and Adam Crowther were enough to put Cherry Orchard into the third round of the FAI Cup on Saturday afternoon as they came from a goal down to defeat A Championship side Cobh Ramblers at St Coleman’s Park.

Before this game kicked off Cobh had not won an FAI Cup tie since 2004 when they defeated Limerick on penalties after two drawn matches. Perhaps it was the summer sunshine that beamed down on the Cork harbour town, or the fact that they had recently secured their first A Championship win of the new season, but there was an undeniable air of optimism as Dave Hill's men took to the field.

And it was the home side that made all the early moves. The first real chance came in the twelfth minute when Alan O'Flynn set Pierce Donnaghie away down the right and his low cross to the back post was lifted over the Cherry Orchard crossbar by Martin Deady from eight yards.

Four minutes later Conor Meade volleyed narrowly over after O’Flynn had knocked Deady’s free kick back across the face of goal and, as the half ticked by, the pressure on the visitor’s defence could be measured by the number of balls that were being pumped into the gardens of the Ramblers’ near neighbours.

After half an hour a third opportunity presented itself for Cobh to take the lead when Alan O’Flynn shot at goal only for Craig O’Brien to scramble the ball away in a none too convincing manner. Stephen Bruton was the man running the show for Ramblers at this point, winning everything in central midfield and using the ball well when he had it at his feet, but there were signs that the Dublin side were growing into the game too.

In the 36th minute Ian McNeill, Adam Crowther and Alan McNevin all had efforts blocked by the varied limbs and torsos of home defenders but the interval arrived without either side making the breakthrough.

That changed three minutes into the second half when John Meade met a corner delivered by Deady from the right and his powerful header found the net from six yards out. Ramblers might have added a second when Deady sent in a superb cross from the opposite flank but desperate defending kept O’Flynn and then Pierce Donnaghie at bay.

Five minutes later and the game had taken a decisive turn in the direction of Cherry Orchard. Michael McLoughlin had almost played in Adam Crowther with a delightful chip over the Cobh back line but moments later Crowther whipped a low cross through the Ramblers box which ran to substitute Lee Collins. Full back Peter Nolan executed a rash challenge and Ian McNeill drove home the resultant penalty to level the tie.

Ian Maher sent a header into the side netting from a corner and Crowther scooped a shot over the bar when well placed as Cherry Orchard took control. The pressure mounted on the home side and with 76 minutes gone they took a lead that had been on the cards for a while. Ramblers failed to clear their lines after another attack had been smothered and Adam Crowther took advantage to nick a loose ball past Stephen Deasy from close range.

Four minutes later the home defence dithered on the ball in their own area and were almost punished again, McNeill turning his shot from 15 yards narrowly wide of Deasy’s far post.

Cobh continued to fight the good fight as the minutes ticked away, substitute Shane Geasley almost leveling matters when he hooked the ball over Craig O’Brien during a goalmouth melee, but Marc Notaro was on hand to head off the line.

When the final whistle came the Dublin side could count themselves worthy winners and Cobh must wait yet another year for an FAI Cup win with which to fan the memories of their epic run to the semi-finals, now fully eighteen years in the distant past.

Cobh Ramblers: Stephen Deasy; Anthony Flanagan, Garry Collins, John Meade, Peter Nolan; Pierce Donnaghie (Shane Spillane, 67), Stephen Bruton, Emmet O’Hanlon, Martin Deady; Conor Meade, Alan O’Flynn (Shane Geasley, 80).
Subs not used: Brendan Frahill, Jason Abbot, Jonathan Spillane, Kevin McCarthy, Kyle Dowling.

Bookings: None.
Sendings Off: None.

Cherry Orchard: Craig O’Brien; David O’Sullivan, Ian Maher, Marc Notaro, Darren Byrne; Adam Crowther, Graham Curran, Michael McLoughlin (Conor Tracey, 85), Alan McNevin (Lee Collins, 46); Philip O’Connor (Kevin Brennan, 69), Ian McNeill.
Subs not used: Keith Gallagher, Dennis Moran, Patrick McNevin.

Bookings: Maher (16), McNeill (77).
Sendings Off: None.

extratime.ie Man of the Match: Adam Crowther.
Referee: Alan Kelly.
Attendance: 100 (estimate).