Cobh Ramblers 3 - 2 Limerick

A draw would have been a fair result. Cobh, it has to be said, were quite good in spells but we did well overall too. Referee was shocking, both sides has stonewall penalties for handball turned down.

1. Noel Mooney - Absolutely brutal. Made at least four basic, unforgivable errors, two of them leading to goals. He allowed the ball under his body for the first when he was under little enough pressure leaving the Cobh player with an empty net to aim for. The third was even worse, Mooney rooted to his line as the ball came across his six yard box and not even jumping as the resultant header went straight over his head. Letting Jimmy Fyffe go isn't looking like such great business all of a sudden. - 3/10 (because I'm feeling kind and he made one good punch).

2. Stephen O'Mahony - Slow enough in the first half to be honest but got to terms with the game the longer it went on. Distribution was erratic at times too. - 6/10

3. Mike Ahearne - Solid throughout. Got forward well enough when possible too. - 7/10

4. Anthony Wolfe - Didn't do much wrong to be fair. Not as aggressive as I'd like in a centre-half but looked decent. - 7/10

5. Paul Finucane - His usual reliable self. Still a gem. Captain now too. - 7/10

6. Chris Kearns - Didn't see much of the ball. Showed some nice touches but no surprise to see him subbed. - 6/10

7. Brian Donnellan - Drifted in and out a bit. Broke his balls running about though. Took his goal well too. His touch left him down once or twice but it might take him a few games to get used to this standard again. - 7/10

8. Tommy Barrett - Was excellent. Went box to box, was strong in the tackle and in the air. Was desperately unlucky to have one chance cleared off the line. Looks a find. - 8/10

9. Brendan Hughes - Quieter than Barrett but no less effective. Seemed to lose control of a couple of headers but competed well throughout. - 7/10

10. Robbie Kelleher - Was absolutely outstanding. Showed everything. His goal was a case in point mixing pace, strength and courage to take on and beat the defenders and technique and a cool head to chip the onrushing ex-Limerick keeper Fennelly in the Cobh goal. Will be a real, real asset. - 9/10

11. Colin O'Brien - Disappointing. To be totally honest he didn't show a whole lot more than he did last season. He tried to get involved, especially for the first 20 minutes or so but he trailed off after that. Seemed to be working but nothing quite came off and he still tended to hold onto the ball for too long at times. - 6/10

Subs:
Jamie Nolan (for C.Kearns) - Showed a lot of invention down the right and tracked back well. - 7/10

Mark Tobin (for M.Ahearne) - Rock solid. Tough, uncompromising left-full who'll probably be pushing for a starting berth. - 7/10 (wasn't on for long enough to earn much more)

Derek McCarthy (for C. O'Brien) - Ran hard and chased well for the time he got on the pitch. Showed up well and pressed his claims for place in the first XI too.

Another few random thoughts:
1. When Jamie Nolan came on for some reason we thought it was Derek and accordingly we gave a huge reception. Jamie Nolan must have gone home thinking, 'Nice bunch, these Limerick fans, they must be really glad I'm here!'

2. The Cobh captain and left back wasn't a bad player. No idea what he's called. What really stood out about him though was the fact that his voice got steadily higher and higher as the match went on and he got more excited. Sorta like David Beckham with one testicle after a steady, week-long diet of helium. Made me smile anyway.

3. The Cobh fans were a pretty sound bunch. I'll admit that I was a bit surprised but credit where it's due. Even the visiting Dave Hill was up for some chatter, far friendlier than most of our previous exchanges.

Even though we lost :( , at least we scored 2 goals! :) Something we never did in any league match last season. I wasn't at the game so from your comments it is a little worrying about Mooney. Could the fact that he was coming back from injury (don't know exactly what his injury was :confused: ) be in any way a contributory factor to his poor performance?
I don't know whether to be optimistic or pessimistic. Friday night's result against Mons will determine that I suppose.

Good Report Sadloserkid !!

Glad to see Tommy Barrett done well.

Also glad to see Brian Donnellan done well & scored.

Sounds like a great performance from Robbie Kelleher.

Pity about the result !!

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Originally Posted by ramblers05

promotion favourites.... :p :D :D :D

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None of us ever said that though! And you're time at the top didn't last long either! Good old Galway United. ;)

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Originally Posted by sadloserkid

None of us ever said that though! And you're time at the top didn't last long either! Good old Galway United. ;)

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Our pleasure :D

any idea what the crowd was last saturday and did many limerick fans travel.do the clubs publish there crowds normally.

I agree with SLK a draw would have been a fair result but to be honest we gave away the game to Cobh mainly because of Noel Mooney. But credit to Cobh, they were better than what I expected and played well.

Considering the preparation that NOC and the team have put in, it was very disappointing to watch Noel Mooney's performance. He was far from convincing and was definitely responsible for the first and third Cobh goals. He seemed incapable of dealing with bread and butter stuff, how he managed to lose the ball for the first goal is mind baffling. As for the third goal, some would say he should have come out for the cross which is a bit harsh but what was worrying was his lack of reflexes. The ball came straight at him but he was slow to react. Any other keeper at this level would have tipped the ball over the crossbar, again bread and butter stuff. Of course because this is the first match of the season we have to give him the benefit of the doubt. Also considering the performance of O'Sullivan against Rovers it was surprising he did not start against Cobh especially when there were doubts about the fitness of Mooney.

To be fair to CP O'Brien he did try in the match especially in the first half however he just continually faded out of it and should have been substituted sooner. Even though he made some effort he didn't offer much at all especially with linking up team play, although some will no doubt be glad to hear that he did pass the ball. Its easy to see why a lot of people would prefer to see Robbie and Derek partnered up front not just because of CP but of the potential of the two players playing together. Their style of play seem to suit each other. Robbie Kelliher is a great signing by NOC and was deserving of the MOTM accolade.

I think O'Mahony will be dropped because Tobin should not be left on the bench and Mick Ahearne did nothing wrong in the match and would be unjust if he got dropped. So I think Mick should be switched to right full back. Jamie Nolan as well should start. He looks a very good player, great skill and not afraid of a tackle and got involved quickly in the game.

Limerick did well to come back from two goals down, they showed a lot of character which is good to see. It was interesting to note that when they start passing the ball around instead of thumping the ball down the wing that they scored the two goals. Its pointless launching a high ball to the two strikers because they will never win it although Robbie would make a genuine effort to, they are better and more threatening when the ball is played to their feet.

All in all though we have a good squad with plenty of options, showed some character which we will need so the season should bode well for us.

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Originally Posted by Nempton

Also considering the performance of O'Sullivan against Rovers it was surprising he did not start against Cobh especially when there were doubts about the fitness of Mooney.

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Wasn't at the game (looking forward to Friday night) so can't comment on your thoughts on the game. The reports about Mooney are worrying but as you say we'll give him a chance - after all he was carrying an injury into the game (don't know how it would affect his performance for the goals). I understood that O'Sullivan was just a stand in for the friendly against Rovers and that he is actually a St Michaels player. :confused:

Bit harsh to talk of dropping O'Mahoney? Based on past seasons and what I know of Aherne and Tobin, I think O'Mahoney is better than both. Is Aherne right footed. I get the heebees with left footers playing right full. I hope Stevo is not going through a drop in form - he is a class player.

Hopefully NOC will have learned a lot from last Friday - friendlies are grand and all but nothing matches competitive games to find out what lads are made of.

Ahearne is right-footed. We've signed O'Sullivan (though I don't know how long for). And to answer SouthCroydon's question I'd say that there was maybe 35-40 Limerick fans at the match and clubs are supposed to publish attendance figures under the new license criteria.

Tobin Is right footed also

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Bit harsh to talk of dropping O'Mahoney?

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Yes its harsh after one game to be talking about dropping Steven especially after criticising Mooney, but when Tobin came on and watching him play the player I drew comparison with was with Heinze of Utd (although of course not at the same level) because of their similiar style of play. As for Mick he was far more consistent than Steven and would be unfair if he was dropped. We all know Steven is a very good player and hopefully the competition for places will help him regain the form he showed in his first season with us but if not then he should be dropped if he's not performing regardless of his talent (the same applies to CP). Anyway its more than likely that NOC will stick with the same team that started against Cobh for the game against Monaghan. I'm just hoping tomorrow really will be a 'good friday' for us...(sorry couldn't resist inserting that little joke :D)