Cobh Ramblers claimed all three SSE Airtricity Men's First Division points in a whacky Munster derby that saw two goals in three minutes, a 90th-minute winner, an 8.30pm start and the threat of abandonment due to floodlight failure.
Kick-off at the Markets Field was delayed for 45 minutes as the Cobh bus hit traffic on the motorway to Limerick, forcing the latest League of Ireland start the Markets Field has hosted since its reopening in 2015.
In what was otherwise a relatively timid affair, the majority of the action was condensed into 180 seconds as Cian Curtis and Wilson Waweru exchanged goals just after the hour mark. It was only when referee Mark Houlihan pointed to the spot as the clock struck 90 did it ever feel like one side would win this. Dylan McGlade's spot-kick was the decisive moment.
Cobh Ramblers’ pre-season hype as the most legitimate challengers to Cork City hadn’t quite materialised to this point in the season, despite the Rams taking four points from a possible six against their neighbours thus far.
That 1-0 victory in Turners Cross three weeks ago didn’t spur the kind of run they needed to capitalise on the short-lived internal crisis for Barry Robson and co – as Cobh were beaten at home by UCD before being walloped in Bray.
Dylan McGlade netted a hat-trick in these sides’ last meeting, but he was accounted for in the first half – his highlight was being booked for fouling Ben Lynch. You could possibly argue it was the only flashpoint in the entire opening period.
Just as the players went off for the break, the floodlights failed in Garryowen – causing those few in attendance to ponder if they should just stay around until Cork City arrive on Monday evening for their rearranged fixture with Tommy Barrett’s charges.
Despite the limited entertainment, Cian Curtis and Wilson Waweru ran the flanks to little or no avail for the bones of an hour. Within three minutes, they each had a goal to their name.
First, it was Curtis.
In typical fashion, he timed his run brilliantly to stay onside against a very high Cobh line but still had a lot to do.
Bearing down on goal, he opened his body and despite contact from Ramblers 'keeper Timo Martin, the ball ricocheted off the near post and rolled into the back of the net.
By the time Curtis’ heart rate had returned to normal, he could probably just about see Waweru net down the other end. The Cobh striker wrestled the ball out of the goalmouth and returned it to halfway, sensing the tide was turning.
The momentum wasn’t that pronounced, though – a flurry of substitutions meant the final half hour was quite fractured. That was until a needless foul in the Treaty area afforded Fran Rockett’s unit the chance to snatch it.
Dylan McGlade made no mistake – slotting calmly down the middle and praying for a less eventful trip home.
Treaty United: Jack Brady; Eric Yoro, Robbie Lynch, Richkov Boevi; Ben Lynch, Steven Healy (Colin Conroy, 70), Mark Murphy, Jason Folarin Oyenuga (Mark Byrne, 56); Fionn Doherty (Ben Feeney, 56), Ronan Manning (Raphael Ohin, 85); Cian Curtis.
Cobh Ramblers: Timothy Martin; Rhys Brennan (Mikey Carroll, 84), Brendan Frahill, Shane Griffin, Lucas Curtin, Luka Le Bervet; Oran Crowe (Anthony Adenopo, 84), Jason Abbott (Shane Griffin, 65), Rhys Gourdie; Dylan McGlade; Wilson Waweru (Rhys Kelly-Noonan, 70).
Referee: Mark Houlihan.
Elsewhere Cork City stretched their lead at the summit to nine points after a 3-0 win at Athlone Town.
It was goalless at the break in the midlands, but Conor Drinan put the visitors ahead in the 50th minute, there was no way back for Athlone.
Hans Mpongo doubled City's lead eight minutes later and then put the seal on it with a third goal nine minutes from time.
UCD are still second but endured a frustrating night at Wexford, who took a 2-1 victory.
Jake Doyle and Mikie Rowe had Wexford two up at the break. UCD looked dead and buried when Mark Dignam was red-carded in the 73rd minute, but Adam Wells' goal with four minutes to go set up a tense finish.
Kerry fought back from two goals down to nab a thrilling a 2-2 draw with Bray Wanderers in Tralee.
Bray were cruising thanks to Daniel Ring and Kyle Tucker goals either side of half-time.
Matthew Britton gave Kerry a lifeline in the 66th minute and Declan Osagie's dismissal a minute later for Bray totally changed the game's momentum.
In the 90th minute, Britton popped up again to score the equaliser.
Finn Harps mirrored Kerry's feat by storming back against Longford Town.
Longford took control as Andy Paraschiv (56 minutes) and Stefan Ugbesia (65 minutes) efforts looked to have settled the contest.
However Aaron McLaughlin gave Harps hope three minutes from the end, with Odhran McHugh completing the turnaround in the 90th minute.
