Dylan McGlade stars as Treaty United suffer heavy defeat to Cobh

DISAPPOINTING Treaty United suffered a comprehensive 4–0 defeat to Munster rivals Cobh Ramblers in the SSE Airtricity League First Division on Monday afternoon.

A first-half hat-trick from Dylan McGlade virtually ended the game as a contest by the interval, before a superb second-half strike from Kai O'Neill allowed the Rams to ease past a Treaty side that has struggled for form and confidence throughout the season so far.

The Shannonsiders arrived at St Colman’s Park bottom of the league table, having secured just one win in their opening eight games with a narrow round six 1–0 home victory over Athlone Town. The Rams, who are in the hunt for a promotion play-off place at this early stage of the season, had also endured a difficult start to the campaign, with their only wins coming against Kerry and Longford Town.

Tommy Barrett named four changes to his starting XI from Good Friday’s scoreless draw at home to second bottom Longford Town. Mark Murphy, Steven Healy, Kyle Foley and Jason Oyenuga all dropped to the bench, with Ronan Manning, Colin Conroy, Fionn Doherty and Niko Kozlowski coming into the starting line-up.

Cobh, meanwhile, made just one change to their team from Friday’s 2-1 win over Kerry, secured with a Dylan McGlade brace, with Rhys Brennan coming into the fold in place of Brian Linehan.

It was the home side who hit the front early, taking the lead with the first real opportunity of the game through McGlade, as the Rams midfielder slotted his shot into the bottom corner after good work from Rhys Gourdie created the opening. McGlade ghosted into the area unmarked and calmly stroked the ball home from twelve yards to give Cobh an early advantage.

Nine minutes later, Ramblers and McGlade doubled their tally with a near-identical finish to his first. Gourdie and Rhys Brennan combined on the right flank before the former drilled a dangerous ball across the Treaty six-yard box. McGlade was again completely unmarked and had all the time he needed to collect possession and rifle his shot into the roof of the net from close range.

Treaty struggled to create any real chances, with Cobh well organised defensively and comfortable protecting their two-goal cushion. However, matters went from bad to worse for Barrett’s men just before the interval. Right on the stroke of half-time, Ben Lynch was caught in possession by Rhys Brennan and tripped the Cobh midfielder inside the penalty area.

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McGlade stepped up and coolly stroked the penalty home to secure his hat-trick and effectively end the game as a contest before the break, securing his hat-trick and his fifth goal in two games, with the Rams leading 3–0.

Six minutes after the restart, Treaty went close through half-time substitute Raphael Ohin. The Ghanaian midfielder got on the end of a Cian Curtis pull-back, but his powerful right-footed strike curled just wide of the left-hand upright.

However, in the 56th minute, Cobh half-time substitute Kai O’Neill compounded Treaty’s misery. The rising Ramblers starlet latched onto a loose ball and powered his way beyond the Treaty defence before burying his shot to the net.

Ohin and Curtis again combined in response for the Shannonsiders, with the Ghanaian hammering another effort goalwards, but Timo Martin did well to make the save.

In the 72nd minute, Ben Feeney went close with an acrobatic effort from an Ohin cross. Feeney threatened again ten minutes later, this time getting on the end of a Ben Lee delivery, but once more Martin proved equal to the attempt.

Steven Healy had Treaty’s final chance of a consolation two minutes from time, but his effort flew over the crossbar. Another disappointing outing for the Shannonsiders leaves Tommy Barrett’s men rooted to the foot of the table ahead of the visit of arch rivals and league leaders Cork City on Friday evening.

Meanwhile, Cobh Ramblers will hope to make it three wins on the bounce when they travel to Finn Harps at Finn Park.

COBH RAMBLERS: Timo Martin; Callum Honohan, Garry Buckley, Brendan Frahill, Lucas Curtin; Rhys Brennan, Rhys Gourdie (Claudio Osorio 65), Dylan McGlade (Wilson Waweru 65), Oran Crowe; Mickey Carroll (Jason Abbott 65), Rhys Noonan (Kai O’Neill 45).

TREATY UNITED: Jack Brady; Eric Yoro, Cian Curtis, Robbie Lynch, Ben Lynch (Raphael Ohin 45); Ronan Manning (Ben Lee 70), Mark Walsh, Colin Conroy, Ben Feeney; Fionn Doherty (Steven Healy 45), Niko Kozlowski (Jason Oyenuga 45).