Posted on Apr 21, 2008

Ringmahon Rangers 2 – 2 Cobh Wanderers 19-04-2008 Hally, Abbott Confusion rained at Top of the Hill at 12.45 on Saturday when a head count showed that 12 players were travelling to Mahon for the game – this included the management team of Geasley and Hally but didn’t include a keeper for the start of the game as the Kitten was working and would be late. At the last minute a taxi came over the hill carrying a hero to save the day, Tosh had arrived and everything was ok with the world again except that Hally might still have to play. With Pat Hanlon arriving at Mahon also the game started with 2 subs, Hanlon and Geasley with Hally selected upfront (a master stroke by Geasley as it turned out!!!!) Two minutes after the start Ringmahon were 1up. Ringmahon, as always had a centre back who could throw the ball from Cork to Cobh if he wanted to, won a throw on the left hand wing. The throw caused confusion inside the Wanderers 6 yard box and Ringmahon were 1 up. Two minutes later and Wanderers get a corner on the right. The ball goes straight to the keeper’s hands who, inexplicably, drops the ball under no pressure. Hally is the 1st to react and finishes in some style from 2 feet out. A minute later and Hally is less cool as the ball arrives at his feet inside the box, 10 yards out, a quick turn and he finds space only for the shot to go straight at the keeper. The rebound falls to Abbot only to have his shot saved and the ball run out for a corner. After 30minutes the Wanderers did take the lead. Marathon man Cronin knocked a long ball from left full to Abbott running through from midfield. The Ringmahon keeper advanced and Abbott lifted the ball over him with his first touch and into the empty net. The Wanderers were still leading at half time but Ringmahon came out for the 2nd half looking to equalise. Immediately after the kick-off a cross from the left wing found a Ringmahon midfielder on the 6-yard box, his header was bound for the corner of the net until Tosh dived and tipped the ball around the post for a corner kick. The Wanderers withstood the pressure for 10minutes with Tosh making another point blank save. But Ringmahon did level the scoring with the Wanderers unable to get a foothold in the game in the period after half time. Eventually Wanderers did come into the game and create chances, McGroarty going close when a goal bound shot was save by the Ringmahon keeper at full stretch. The Wanderers had a penalty claim turned down when Maher was bundled over inside the box as he ran onto a through ball. With O’Hanlon and Abbott finding space on both wings the Wanderers finished the stronger and were unlucky not to score before the end of the game. McCall was brought on for Hally with 10minutes left but he didn’t have the pace, agility or sharpness of the veteran he replaced and the game finished level. In post match news, Hally has threatened to retire as the Referee was heard saying that the 2 of them were the same age – a statement that Hally strongly disputes…… we await further news. Team: T.O’Connell, P.Brady, T.Cronin, F.O’Connor, S.Cronin, D.Abbott, D.Maher, J.Broderick, W.O’Hanlon, J.McGroarty, J.Hally (F.McCall) Sub: S.Geasley, P.Hanlon, F.McCall