Galway United 0
Cobh Ramblers 1

On a night when a sterling performance was required, United produced their worst display of the season; going down to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of relegation rivals Cobh Ramblers.

Jeff Kenna.

The goal arrived after only ninety seconds and gave the visitors a deserved three points. Cobh lined up with five in midfield and it seemed United were unable to cope with this formation and the opener duly arrived before United had even gained any worthwhile possession of the ball.

Gareth Cambridge crossed from the right and the ball flicked off the head of Wes Charles. It dropped at the feet of Graham Cummins and he tucked home with ease, having been played onside by Regi Nooitmeer.

United had a gilt-edge opportunity to grasp a draw at the death through Mark Leech. A cross from Mark McCulloch was missed by keeper Anthony Fennelly and makeshift striker Charles squared to Leech on the six yard line. Astonishingly, Leech contrived to fire over the bar when it looked easier to score.

United's best chance of the first half came when Leech carved out an opportunity for himself on 27 minutes. He received a throw in from Nooitmeer and quickly spun his marker. He raced clear on goal, but was forced wide and the keeper managed to parry his shot out for a corner.

Cobh looked the better side throughout, managing to pass the ball on the ground, despite the windy conditions. They looked dangerous on the counter attack and almost doubled their lead through Cummins early in the second half, but his strike on goal was poor after he intercepted a howling back pass from John Fitzgerald.

United didn't fare much better in the second half, with Leech's chance the only one of note. Derek O'Brien had two shots from distance but failed to trouble Fennelly with either.

A furious Jeff Kenna reacted after the game. "I'm absolutely disgusted. As good as we were on Friday against Bohemians, we were the complete opposite tonight. We lacked fight and we didn't compete. It's not good enough by a million miles. I'm not accepting that performance at all," he said.

Galway: Roger; Nooitmeer, Charles, Fitzgerald (Fenn, 83), McCulloch; O'Shea, Deegan, Russell, O'Brien; Glynn (Faherty, 59), Leech

Cobh Ramblers: Fennelly; Carey, McCarthy, Murray, Meade; Cambridge, J. Kearney, Cummins, Mulconry; O'Neill, Barrett

Referee: M. Gough (Limerick).

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