Treaty Utd suffer defeat away to Cobh Ramblers in the SSE Airtricity League

TREATY United suffered a disappointing 2-1 defeat to high-flying Munster rivals Cobh Ramblers in the SSE Airtricity League First Division at St Colman's Park on Friday evening.

Goals from Cian Murphy and Barry Coffey proved the difference as the visitors suffered a first defeat in three following an impressive run of scoring nine goals in their last two games.

The Limerick-based side got off to the worst possible start, finding themselves a goal down within three minutes. Cian Murphy found himself through on goal following a drilled pass from Shane Griffin. The Rams attacker deftly flicked his shot over the onrushing Corey Chambers to give a shell-shocked Treaty an uphill task.

Four minutes later, Lee Devitt had the Shannonsiders' first effort, but his tepid shot was easily gathered by Tim Martin in the Cobh goal. However, this was to mark a period of dominance for the visitors, but they couldn’t transfer that to the scoreboard.

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In the twelfth minute Devitt drove another shot directly at Martin before Karl O’Sullivan should have equalised. A well-worked sweeping move found the winger free on the right flank, but he flashed his effort narrowly wide of the post.

Vrljicak was next to have a go, and his powerful effort from the edge of the box was drilled right down the throat of Martin.

Devitt had two further half-chances as Cobh retreated as a result of the sustained Treaty pressure; however, neither troubled Tim Martin.

On the stroke of half-time Devitt curled a free kick goalward in the last chance of the opening period, but his effort ricocheted inches wide of the post.  

Four minutes after the restart, the Shannonsiders had restored parity in the most bizarre circumstance. A lofted Lee Devitt free kick appeared to be an easy clearance for former Limerick FC man Cian Coleman, but the Cobh defender sliced his effort, and the ball rifled into the back of his own net.

However, just three minutes later, the Rams restored their advantage with Shane Griffin once again the creator, picking out the totally unmarked Barry Coffey, who easily slid the ball into the bottom corner to score his eighth goal in seven games.

In the sixty-eighth minute Cobh almost had their third. Griffin picked up possession on the right flank and drilled a dangerous ball across the Treaty goalmouth. Fortunately for Tommy Barrett’s men, it glided narrowly wide of the post.

With twelve minutes remaining, Coleman tried his luck with a 30-yard volley. His spectacular effort almost dipped narrowly over Chambers’ crossbar.

Lee Devitt went closest to a treaty equaliser with his looped snapshot curling high and wide ten minutes from time as the East Cork-based side got the job done and secured a big three points on their promotion push.

The result leaves Tommy Barrett's men in the third play-off berth but just two points clear of Wexford and UCD, who sit just outside. Meanwhile, Cobh remains in second place, hot on the tail of league leaders Dundalk.

Next up for the Shannonsiders is a home fixture against third-placed Bray Wanderers, whilst Cobh travel to the midlands to take on Longford.

Cobh Ramblers: Tim Martin, Niall O’Keefe, Nolan Evers, Brendan Frahill, Luka Le Bervet, Shane Griffin, Sam Bellis (Matthew Whelan 84), Barry Coffey, Cian Coleman, David Bosnjak (John O’Donovan 46), Cian Murphy.

Treaty United: Corey Chambers, Ben Lynch, Lee Devitt, Steven Healy (Valeriy Dolya 76), Lee Lynch (Niko Kozlowski 56), Conor Wilson, Evan O’Connor (Richkov Boevi 86), Robbie Lynch, Eoin Martin, Karl O’Sullivan, Trpimir Vrljicak (Yoyo Mahdy 76).

Referee: Oliver Moran