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Ramblers 1-2 Carrigaline Utd
Carrigaline played the percentage game in this 2nd Round Cup game and came out winning. With only a fraction of the chances by comparison and outplayed for most of the game, they took the two that mattered and advanced to the 3rd Round and away tie with Waterford United. It is fair to assume that Dave Hill would have been more disappointed with the manner in which the goals were conceded that the chances that were squandered.
Last week’s confidence boosting win had Ramblers on the front foot from the off and Shane Geasley went close with a left-footed volley from a headed clearance just past the post. Carrigaline did change the direction of the play to create a double chance on 18 minutes, with ex-Rambler, John Harrington, supplying Wayne Bruton with a through ball that brought a fine tip-over save from Kevin McCarthy, with Kalen Spillane heading over the resultant corner. Minutes later Carrigaline’s saviour (or should that be saver)-in-chief, goalkeeper Declan Owens, got a vital touch ahead of Shane Geasley in chase of John Forrest’ defensive clearance. The best chance, without doubt, belonged to Shane Geasley on 25 minutes. Picking up a pass from Peter O’ Halloran he turned inside his marker, but in trying to curl his shot wide of Owens he put it the wrong side of the post.
Just before and after the half hour mark, as you felt that possession was about to bring forth a goal, it was Owens who prevented that scenario by diving to push away a Colin Kearney free-kick and an Emmett O’ Hanlon shot after some lovely footwork had taken him beyond his marker. In lifting the siege John Harrington won and took a Carrigaline corner on 39 minutes, but Ruari O’ Halloran headed over. Then a double sucker-punch within two minutes and, unbelievably, Carrigaline from a limited amount of possession scored twice with both under the category of avoidable. Firstly a throw ball on the right was allowed reach John Harrington, who pulled the ball back from close to the end-line for Hugh Shields to side foot the opener. Shields then turned provider down the left, taking possession from a clever back-heel by another ex-Rambler, John Rogers, to cross for captain Tony Houlihan to volley to the net at the near post. Worse again as Emmett O’ Hanlon did not get the required power or direction and the ball drifted out wide from an immediate chance to respond on the call of the half-time break.
Within five minutes of the re-start Ramblers pulled a goal back as the ball was moved in off the left wing from Emmett O’ Hanlon to Shane Geasley to Colin Kearney, and his successful strike gave hope of more goals to come. The chances were certainly there. A great move down the right involving Kyle Downing and Colin Kearney, saw the latter cross for Emmett O’ Hanlon to hit first-time but Owens was equal to it and pushed it out. The ball was re-cycled and this time Owens surpassed his previous save by touching Shane Spillane’s long - range pile driver on to his crossbar - and as with all his previous saves the rebound fell kindly for a team-mate to clear.
As the clock ticked the desperation increased, cue a breakaway and only decent chance for Carrigaline in that second period, but Shields miscued his attempt wildly. At the death it was Owens again to deny Emmett O’ Hanlon and the luck that is sometimes synonymous with Cup football, had certainly deserted this young Cobh Ramblers side on the night.
Team: Kevin McCarthy, Kyle Downing, John Forrest, Peter O’ Halloran (Capt.), Danny Langford, Colin Kearney, Stephen Bruton, Shane Spillane, Emmett O’ Hanlon, Shane Geasley, Pierce Donnachie.
Subs: Anthony Flanagan - Downing 86 mins
Stephen Walsh
Gary Collins
Brendan Keating (GK)
*A minute’s silence was observed prior to the game for the late Republic of Ireland goalkeeper, Alan Kelly Snr., on his passing from this life during the week.
Report: Michael Geasley
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| St.Colman's
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