League Play-off Report: Cobh Ramblers 0 - 2 Drogheda United

It's advantage Drogheda United heading into next Friday’s second leg after they defeated Cobh Ramblers thanks to two second half goals in three minutes from Marc Griffin and Garreth McCaffrey at St. Colman’s Park on Saturday night.

The first half was an even enough affair with Cobh Ramblers slightly the better team but the second half was all Drogheda, as goals from Griffin and a free kick from McCaffrey ensured the Boynesiders victory.

Cobh boss Stephen Henderson made two changes to the side that defeated Athlone Town last Friday with Charlie Fleming and Cian Kingston starting in place of Anthony O’Donnell and the suspended Chris McCarthy.

Drogheda on the other hand was unchanged from the side that defeated UCD 2-1 at home to book their place in tonight’s playoff fixture.

Cobh backed by their largest support of the season; 1,550, had the better opening half hour with former Cork City striker Rob Lehane going close on a few occasions, while Garry Comerford fresh from scoring 1-05 in last week’s Laois county final victory with Stradbally, headed narrowly wide of Stephen McGuinness’s goal.

Shane O’Connor went close for Cobh on 41 minutes when he fired over following a long ball over the top. Yet it was to be Adam Wixted of the visitor’s who had the half’s best chance minutes later bringing a good save out of Paul Hunt following a shot on the edge of the area.

Drogheda came out a much improved side for the second half following Pete Mahon’s talk and went ahead on 60 minutes.

Richie Purdy dribbled down the left flank before crossing to the back post, for Griffin to rise highest and head past Hunt from close range at the clubhouse end of the ground.

Two minutes later the lead was extended further when McCaffrey scored a free kick from 25 yards after Sean Thornton’s lay off.

Griffin had another chance to further extend the lead on 71 minutes when his shot was cleared off the line by Charlie Fleming,

Yet it was the visitors who would hold out and despite a late Craig Donnellan effort, the winning margin never looked like being extended or shortened as the teams now turn their focus on Friday’s return leg in Drogheda for the chance to play Wexford Youths who had manager Shane Keegan in attendance.

Cobh Ramblers: Paul Hunt, Charlie Fleming, Kevin Mulcahy, Cian Kingston, Ian Mylod; Stephen Christopher (Matthew Whelan 69), Craig Donnellan, Garry Comerford, Eoin McGreevy (Conor Ellis 69); Shane O’Connor; Rob Lehane (Anthony O’Donnell 80).

Subs not used: Jonathan Creamer, Kyle McNamara, James McSweeney, Darren Murphy.

Yellow Card: O’Connor (81).

Red Card: None.

Drogheda United: Stephen McGuinness; Colm Deasy, Kevin Farraher, Luke Gallagher, Stephen Dunne; Richie Purdy, Sean Thornton, Jake Hyland (McKeown 85), Adam Wixted; Garreth McCaffrey (Aaron Ashe 76), Marc Griffin (Derek Doyle 91)

Subs not used: Patrick Dunican, Llyod Buckley, Liam Donnelly, Mark Doyle.

Yellow Card: Deasy (56).

Red Card: None

Referee: Andrew Mullally

Attendance: 1,873

Extratime.ie Man of the match: Marc Griffin (Drogheda United)