Jack Larkin helps Cobh Ramblers claim first victory of the season

First Division

Finn Harps 0

Cobh Ramblers 1

A first-half Jack Larkin goal was enough for Cobh Ramblers to beat Finn Harps in Ballybofey and get their first win of the League of Ireland season.

The result marks the first time Gary Hunt got to see his team take the three points after starting the season with a loss to Treaty United and draw with Athlone Town.

This was always going to be a tough assignment, especially with the home side enjoying an unbeaten start to the season. There was also the added presence of Success Edogan, the striker who kickstarted his spell in blue and white by scoring three times in three games.

Cobh had no interest in this narrative and they never once let Harps settle on the ball. Ramblers created a number of half-chances, and the pressure paid off when a long throw from Cian Browne was knocked down to Larkin and he volleyed in with 24 minutes on the clock.

Harps only created one real opening in the first half. Edogun was dispossessed by Jason Abbott as he tried to collect a Matthew Makinson pass inside the area.

Harps won a series of corners in the 70th minute. David Cawley sent the ball in and Cobh stood their ground, the back four marshalled by Brendeán Frahill.

Darragh Burke made sure of the points with a succession of saves during a late Harps push.

The home side thought they won a penalty when Sean O’Donnell went down after colliding with Justin Eguaibor in the first minute of five added on minutes. The referee ended up cautioning the player instead of pointing to the spot, and Cobh hung on to get the win.

Elsewhere, goals in each half from Kian Corbally and Sean McHale earned Wexford three points at UCD, who responded late on with an Eanna Clancy consolation goal.

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