Cobh Ramblers too strong for Finn Harps as the Cork side claims all three points

It took Finn Harps until the second half to eventually find their rhythm, but by that stage, the Donegal men were trailing 1-0, and with time running out, Cobh Ramblers’ David Bosnjak sealed the win in what was virtually the last kick of the game as the Cork side saw themselves to victory in Saint Coleman’s Park. 

Cobh had to work hard for over an hour as they held on to that precious lead, with their defense to be applauded, as the home team secured their third win over Finn Harps this season, with Bosnjak’s goal late into added time securing the three points for Cobh in a 2-0 win that sees them sit in seventh place on 25 points, four points behind Harps in fourth position. 

An early chance from Cobh Ramblers in the first minute saw Bosnjak dart through the Finn Harps' defence, but he was unfortunate to scuff his shot, with goalkeeper Conor Walsh getting his body in front of the ball to keep out of his net. 

Success Edogun created Harps’ first chance on the eighth minute when he fired from a tight angle on the right side, but it was well controlled by Darragh Burke as it fell into the goalkeeper’s hands. 

Cobh’s Liam Kervick had a great chance when his side broke on the attack, leaving the striker to fire from the edge of the box, but the 21-year-old just struck too high as the ball sailed over the crossbar in what was a really encouraging passage of play from the home team. 

With 25 minutes gone, Patrick Ferry nearly broke the deadlock when a pass back from Tony McNamee to Luke O’Brien allowed the latter to float in a superb ball into Ferry, but the Harps player was unable to get a proper connection as he kicked it across the goalmouth and out for a goal kick in what was the chance of the game up to that point. 

But it was Cobh Ramblers who had the better chances and were very deserving to be in front when they hit the lead on the 29th minute after Harps switched off from a freekick deep inside Cobh’s half. The resulting effort flew over the head of Noe Baba, allowing Kervick to superbly control the ball inside the box and slot home, low into the corner. 

The Donegal team attempted to string a number of attacks together before the end of the half following Cobh’s goal but with little success. With five minutes remaining Ryan Rainey would pull two shots off but both were very easily gathered by Burke as the Cork side marched to the dressing room in front as they led 1-0 after 45 minutes.  

Harps turned the screw a small bit at the start of the second half with them remaining patient as they attempted to build up their attacking play, but Cobh remained solid, dealing with the attacks very well and frustrating the away side, by clearing the ball every time Finn Harps entered the Cobh box. 

Edogun was looking to capitalise on the Cobh left-hand side with the Harps player dominating that area and getting on top of Luka Le Bervet, with balls being played into Ferry, but the Harps man couldn’t find the net with both headers floating wide. 

Despite Harps dominating possession in the third quarter of the match, Cobh so nearly found their second goal, when a corner for the home team ended in a scramble which resulted in Justin Eguaibor attempting a bicycle kick, but it was controlled by Walsh in the nets. 

Cobh had the chance to put the game to bed on 72 minutes when Jack Larkin and Tiernan O’Brien both had chances to fire home, but Luke O’Brien was on hand to block the first shot while the second shot was stopped in the box as Harps cleared the ball away. 

Sean O’Donnell nearly brought the game level minutes later when David Cawley supplied a superb pass to his substitute, but Burke was once again on hand as he put his body in the way to intercept the attack and stay in the lead. 

In a back-and-forth final 15 minutes, both teams refused to die down in their attacking game, with Nolan Evers almost rattling the net on the 78th minute, but the ball just skimmed over the crossbar as Cobh started to retreat to their defensive shape as they looked to see the game out. 

But with seconds left on the clock, a superb diagonal ball floated in front of Bosnjak who fired home for the victory as they claimed a deserving 2-0 win. 

Cobh Ramblers: Darragh Burke; Nolan Evers, Justin Eguaibor, Luka Le Bervet; Dale Holland, Jason Abbott, Dean Larkin, David Bosnjak (Alessandro Desanctis, 93); Liam Kervick (David Eguaibor, 84) Tiernan O’Brien (Glenn Towler, 88), Jack Larkin. 

Finn Harps: Conor Walsh; Luke O’Brien, Matthew Makinson, Jamie Watson; Tony McNamee, Noe Baba, Ryan Rainey (Sean O’Donnell, 70), David Cawley (Aaron McLaughlin, 77); Patrick Ferry, Success Edogun, Stephen Doherty (Max Johnston, 57). 

Referee: Mark Moynihan