Longford Town make a point in the away draw against Cobh Ramblers

2 Apr 2024

Ireland Live

Cobh Ramblers . . . 1 Longford Town . . . 1

Longford Town are still seeking their first win of the 2024 season in the SSE Airtricity League after picking up a point in the hard earned draw away to Cobh Ramblers on Easter Monday.

It was the start of a new chapter in the history of Cobh Ramblers as they officially opened their new 4G all-weather pitch at St Colman’s Park in front of a very healthy 1,480 attendance.

It was also a return for former Cobh boss Stephen Henderson and the midlanders took the lead in the closing minutes of the first half.

However, the home side were always a threat and equalised in the 67th minute.

Going into this Easter bank holiday clash, Cobh had just one win in six while bottom club Longford had no wins in five fixtures.

Gary Hunt’s side twice came from behind to draw 2-2 away to Bray with Matthew McKevitt grabbing the goals, the second of which came in the last minute of stoppage time.

Both teams had shots on goal in the opening minutes with Luke Wade Slater heading over for the visitors and James O’Leary and former Town player Beineon O’Brien Whitmarsh off target for Ramblers.

Cobh were denied again in a goalmouth scramble when Dale Holland and skipper Jason Abbott had shots blocked in the six-yard box.

Cobh had token claims for a penalty on 32 minutes when striker McKevitt was dragged to the ground by Longford’s skipper Shane Elworthy that earned the full-back a yellow card but no spot kick.

The visitors, in their canary yellow and black away strip, grabbed the lead with a set piece goal just before half-time.

Bastien Hery’s 40th minute corner was turned into his own net by Cobh’s full-back Charlie O’Brien.

Five minutes into the second half and Jack Brady saved at the feet of McKevitt to keep Cobh out as the home side pressed for an equaliser.

And it duly arrived on 67 minutes when substitute David Bosnjak volleyed home with his first touch having just come on for Dale Holland.

It finished all square in the warm Spring sunshine and that was a fair result at the final whistle.

"It was a pity that we couldn't hold on to our advantage but it's an away point in Cobh and we have to be reasonably happy with it.

"It was a hard fought game on a warm afternoon and a draw was a fair result in the end," said Longford manager Stephen Henderson afterwards.

Up next for Cobh is a return to Turner’s Cross on Friday night for the first all-Cork derby of the season against league leaders City.

Longford Town face another Munster club in Kerry FC at Mounthawk Park in Tralee on the same evening and that is going to be a tough task in the quest for that elusive victory.

Cobh Ramblers (4-4-2):- Burke; O’Brien, D. Larkin, Frahill, Browne; Holland (Bosnjak 65 mins), Abbott, J. Larkin, O’Leary (J. Equaibor 40 mins); McKevitt, O’Brien-Whitmarsh.

Subs not used: D. Equaibor, McKay, O’Hanlon, DeSanctis, Le Brevet & Ryan.

Longford Town (4-2-3-1):- Brady; O’Shea, Hand (Tallon 70 mins), Egan, Elworthy; Hery, Crowley; Wixted (Priosti 70 mins), Fay, Wade-Slater; Lyons (James half-time).

Subs not used: McCarthy, O’Connor, Clarke and Chambers.

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