Cobh struggle to overcome 10-man Athlone
COBH RAMBLERS had to battle hard for three eircom First Division points at St. Colman’s Park on Saturday evening against an Athlone side that played for a full hour with 10 men, after goalkeeper Gary Connaughton was sent off.
Cobh started in positive fashion when Donal Golden scored his ninth goal of the season following good work from Pakie Kelly and Paul Coughlan but they failed for the rest of the half to make their superiority count.
Athlone’s nightmare start continued on 28 minutes when Connaghton handled outside the box as Keith Dalton tried to flick the ball over him. Referee Martin O’Brien promptly dismissed the Athlone keeper.
Rather than inspiring Cobh to better things however, Connaughton’s departure strengthened Athlone’s resolve and they immediately began to turn the tables on the home side.
After the break it was all Athlone as Cobh played like a side a man down. They invited Athlone to attack them and the visitors needed no second invitation as they took the game to Cobh and were unlucky not to get at least a draw on the night.
©The Examiner 17/01/00