Cobh Ramblers stun Treaty United late on in SSE Airtricity League First Division

TREATY United suffered a heartbreaking 3-2 defeat to Cobh Ramblers on the opening night of the new SSE Airtricity League First Division season at the Markets Field on Friday. 

Goals from Richkov Boevi and Lee Devitt looked as if it was going to be enough for Treaty United as the home side led 2-0 on 84 minutes. 

However, Cobh Ramblers produced a sensational comeback scoring three goals in the final ten minutes through Cian Coleman, David Bosnjak and Cian Murphy to claim the three precious league points. 

Manager Tommy Barrett went with a experienced starting XI which included ten players who lined out for Treaty United last season. Ben Lynch, who signed from Wexford FC, made his debut for the Limerick-based club in Friday's league opener.

It was a lively opening period with both sides enjoying their periods of dominance. 

On 20 minutes, Cobh's Cian Bargary raced through the Treaty defence only for goalkeeper Corey Chambers to pull off a fantastic save. The home side produced a quick counter-attack when Lee Devitt tried to play the ball across to Lee Lynch, but the Cobh defence cleared their lines.

Treaty's Trpimir Vrlijcak then found space in the box, but the Croatian's effort just went to the wrong side of the post. Barrett's charges were starting to assert their dominance on this encounter, however. 

Eleven minutes before the break after a long delivery into the box, Treaty United centre back Richkov Boevi slotted the ball into the back of the net to put his side 1-0 up. 

Three minutes later, Vrlijcak had a good chance to extend his side's lead, but the Cobh Ramblers defence did enough to put the Treaty United striker under pressure. 

The Shannonsiders defended excellently in the closing stages of the first half to take a deserved 1-0 lead into the break.

The visitors began to enjoy a dominant spell in the opening quarter of the second half. Treaty's defence stood tall, however, and the Cork side weren't able to make any inroads. 

Cobh Ramblers' Barry Coffey, who made the switch from Cork City this season, looked as if he had equalised the game on 53 minutes. However, his effort from close range flew over the bar. 

Barrett introduced two new signings in the second half. Limerick native Karl O'Sullivan and Canadian-born Joe Hanson tasted action for the first time in a Treaty United jersey at the Garryowen venue. 

On 64 minutes, Treaty United midfielder Lee Devitt looked to be through for his side's second goal. However, Devitt's shot ended up into the hands of Timothy Martin. 

Cobh then floated a corner into the box, Coleman found space but his header went inches over the bar.

Devitt was proving a handful in the second half and the Treaty United playmaker decided to shoot from outside of the box and Cobh Ramblers goalkeeper Martin sent his effort shot out for a corner. 

Devitt then produced a moment of magic on 79 minutes. The Clare native opted to shoot from the corner and his effort ended up in the back of the net to make it 2-0 to the home side.

Ramblers didn't throw in towel, however, and their efforts were rewarded when Cian Coleman hit the net six minutes before the full-time whistle.

David Bosnjak and Cian Murphy then sealed a dramatic victory for Cobh Ramblers late on scoring two goals in injury time to stun the home support. 

Treaty United will now switch their focus to their away fixture against Athlone Town next Friday, February 21. 

TREATY UNITED: Corey Chambers; Evan O'Connor, Richkov Boevi, Mark Walsh (Captain), Fionn Doherty;  Ben Lynch, Colin Conroy; Lee Devitt, Lee Lynch; Yoyo Mahdy, Trpimir Vrljicak.  SUBS: Karl O'Sullivan for Lee Lynch (57 minutes), Joe Hanson for Mahdy (60 minutes), David Tarmey for Vrjicak (92 minutes), Carl Williams for Chambers (injury, 92 minutes), Eoin Martin for O'Connor (92 minutes). 

COBH RAMBLERS: Timothy Martin; Nolan Evers, Cian Coleman, Shane Griffin, Cian Bargary; Shane Griffin, Barry Coffey, Luka Le Bervet, Samuel Bellis; Dale Holland, Cian Murphy. SUBS: Niall O'Keefe for Holland (59 minutes), David Bosnjak for Bellis (78 minutes), John O'Donovan for Evers (82 minutes), Jonas Hakkinen for Coffey (82 minutes), Jason Abbott for Le Bervet (82 minutes)

REFEREE: Ryan Maher (Offaly)