Cobh Ramblers 0
Drogheda United 2
TWO SECOND-HALF goals in three minutes were enough for Drogheda United to defeat Cobh Ramblers in the first leg of the Premier Division playoff at St Colman’s Park tonight.
The first half was a tight affair with Cobh Ramblers shading proceedings but the second was all Drogheda as goals from Marc Griffin and Garreth McCaffrey ensured the Boynesiders would lead heading into the second leg next Friday.
In front of a large attendance, Cobh had the better opening half hour with former Cork City striker Rob Lehane firing wide on a number of occasions, while Garry Comerford, fresh from his county final exploits last weekend with Stradbally in Laois, headed wide of Stephen McGuinness’s goal.
Shane O’Connor fired over for the home side on 41 minutes when clean on goal. Adam Wixted had the visitors’ best chance of the half a minute later as his shot brought a good save out of Paul Hunt.
Pete Mahon’s half-time talk seemingly worked wonders for Drogheda, as they improved after the break, taking the lead on 60 minutes.
Richie Purdy was the creator when he dribbled down the left flank before crossing to the back post, where Griffin rose highest to head past Hunt.
Two minutes later, the lead was extended further, when McCaffrey fired home a free kick from 25 yards after Sean Thornton’s lay off.
Griffin saw his shot cleared off the line on 71 minutes by Charlie Fleming, but Drogheda were content enough with an important two-goal victory.
Cobh Ramblers: Hunt; Fleming, Kingston, Mulcahy, Mylod; Christopher (Whelan 69), Donnellan, Comerford, McGreevy (Ellis 69); O’Connor; Lehane (O’Donnell 80).
Drogheda United: McGuinness; Deasy, Farraher, Gallagher, Dunne; Purdy, Thornton, Hyland (McKeown 85), Wixted; McCaffrey (Ashe 76), Griffin (Derek Doyle 91).
Referee: Andrew Mullally (Waterford).
Didn’t even know it was on tbh. Have myself to blame but an oul article before the game to inform would have been nice. Maybe that’s just ignorant to assume though. I dono