Play-Off Report: Drogheda United 1 - 2 Cobh Ramblers (3-2 on agg)

A second half strike from Gareth McCaffrey was enough to send Drogheda United into the two legged play-off final against Wexford Youths, despite Cobh Ramblers winning on the night through early goals from Conor Ellis and Shane O’Connor.

It took the visitors just 38 seconds to take the lead at United Park as a ball over the top from Charlie Fleming to Conor Ellis who beat his man before finishing into the bottom corner.

Cobh doubled their lead eight minutes in as a long ball into the box wasn’t cleared by the Drogheda defence and Shane O’Connor was on hand to turn and power it past McGuinness to make it 2-0 and draw the tie level.

It took Drogheda until the 19^th minute to create their first chance of the game as Gareth McCaffrey was released on the left. He cut the ball back to Marc Griffin who laid it off to Jake Hyland who let go from 25 yards, only to see his effort go narrowly wide.  

A superb delivery from a free kick by Griffin on 35 minutes was headed narrowly wide by the diving Sean Thornton. However, it wouldn’t have counted had it hit the back of the net as the flag was raised for offside.

Cobh should have made it three just before half time as Rob Lehane beat Stephen Dunne on the right before crossing to the back post for Matthew Whelan who saw his header somehow kept out by Stephen McGuinness in the Drogheda goal. 

Ramblers had another great chance on 54 minutes as the ball was worked to Conor Ellis in the box. He turned his man before shooting low, only for McGuinness to pull off another great save to keep the score at 2-0 on the night.

Drogheda regained the aggregate lead on the hour mark after superb work by Adam Wixted on the right saw him turn his man before lofting a ball to the back post to McCaffrey who finished superbly past Paul Hunt.

With eight minutes to go, and a second ball on the pitch, Craig Donnellan unleashed a shot that bounced back off the bar with the rebound from a Cobh player cleared off the line by Luke Gallagher.

Drogheda almost put the game beyond doubt with three minute of normal time left to play as Aaron Ashe beat his man before cutting the ball back to the falling Wixted who saw his effort cleared off the line by Charlie Fleming.

With five additional minutes added on, it was Cobh who had all the pressure as Drogheda looked to hang on and that they did, running out 3-2 victors on aggregate to set up a two legged play-off final showdown with Wexford Youths.

Drogheda United: Stephen McGuinness; Colm Deasy, Kevin Farragher, Luke Gallagher, Stephen Dunne; Sean Thornton (C), Richie Purdy, Jake Hyland; Adam Wixted (Derek Doyle 89), Marc Griffin (Aaron Ashe 78), Gareth McCaffrey.

Subs not used: Patrick Dunican (GK), Lloyd Buckley, John McKeown, Mark Doyle, Sam O’Connor.

Booked: Jake Hyland (66) Aaron Ashe (90+3).

Cobh Ramblers: Paul Hunt; Charlie Fleming, Kevin Mulcahy (C), Chris McCarthy, Ian Mylod (Eoin McGreevy 89’); Shane O’Connor, Gary Comerford, Craig Donnellan; Conor Ellis (Kyle McNamara 74), Matthew Whelan, Rob Lehane (Anthony O’Donnell 74).

Subs not used: Jonathan Creamer, Stephen Christopher, James McSweeney, Darren Murphy.

Booked: Chris McCarthy (22), Shane O’Connor (68), Kevin Mulcahy (73).

Referee: Marc Lynch.

Attendance: 1,000 (est).

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Stephen McGuinness (Drogheda United).