Goals from Jack Doherty and Brendeán Frahill made sure that Cobh Ramblers continued their promotion push with a 2-0 victory over Waterford at the RSC, their first win of its kind at the venue since 2016.
It was a fixture that could be seen as the biggest test of Shane Keegan's squad during the run-in. They were coming up against a direct rival, with the added twist being Cobh’s victory over Waterford last June.
It wasn’t just the scale of their ambitions that confronted them on Cork Road, the Ramblers also had to deal with their dour record at the RSC on Friday.
Cobh felt the full extent of that earlier in the season when they lost 5-0 in May. Keegan’s team looked like a totally different side on this occasion; they defensively sound while holding their shape in the pouring rain.
While the home side did had the majority of the chances in the first half, they struggled to fully test a Cobh defence that was compact and rigid. This forced Waterford to shoot from distance and an early Dean McMenamy attempt went out for a goal-kick in the 20th minute.
Connor Parsons then won his side a corner and Shane Griffin’s set piece ended with the offside flag going up after Derik Osede headed the ball on inside the area.
The best chance of the half involved goalkeeper Sam Sargeant and Killian Cantwell in the middle of the park. Just two passes created space for Cameron Cresswell to try something and his left legged attempt rolled out for a goal-kick.
Cobh won their first corner of the game in the 27th minute through a Darragh Power clearance and the only thing they could create with this was a shot from outside the area that McMenamy blocked.
It was goaless at the break and the game restarted with Doherty forcing a low save from Sargeant. The goalkeeper then jumped off his line to stop an unmarked Mikie Rowe from getting to the loose ball inside the area.
The next time the Galway United loanee was in that position, Osede brought him down and a penalty was given to Cobh. Doherty stepped up and used this to give his side the lead in the 51st minute.
A Ramblers free was broken down to Frahill for the second goal, and the defender hit the back of the net from the edge of the area on the hour mark.
Waterford weren’t without chances as they tried to get back into the game. The best one that they put together grazed the crossbar and another was a Cantwell header that went out for a goal-kick.
Waterford FC: Sam Sargeant; Darragh Power (Sam Perry 69), Niall O’Keeffe, Shane Griffin (Romeo Akachukwu 68), Connor Parsons, Derik Osede (Ronan Mansfield 68), Cameron Cresswell, Roland Idowu (Serge Atakayi 40), Giles Phillips, Killian Cantwell (Adam Queally 83), Dean McMenamy.
Cobh Ramblers: Lee Steacy; Michael McCarthy, Cian Browne, Brendeán Frahill,, Charlie Lyons, Wilson Waweru (Matt McKevitt 72), Jack Doherty (Adrian Thibaut 88), Mikie Rowe (Dale Holland 72), Alec Byrne, Tiernan O’Brien (Luke Desmond 42), Jason Abbott (Charlie O’Brien 88).
Referee: Declan Toland
Elsewhere in the division, Athlone Town had a 2-1 win at homne to Kerry FC.
Dylan Gavin hit the winner for the hosts after 76 minutes to see them maintain their push to finish in the play-off places. Frantz Pierrot had the midlanders in front on five minutes, before Leonardo Gaxha levelled for Kerry.
Bray Wanderers and Treaty United finished 2-2 at the Carlisle Grounds, with Mark Walsh's goal on 90 securing a point for the Limerick side.
Success Edogun had Treaty in front inside the quarter hour. Two quick-fire strikes on 74 and 77 has Bray in front but they couldn't hold on.
