Coffey off the mark for Cobh

League of Ireland Review

By Gary Culbert

Senior Men

Barry Coffey’s Cobh Ramblers were 5-0 winners at home to Longford Town on Friday night.

The Nenagh man’s two goal haul and an assist was rewarded with a place on the SSE Airtricity First Division team of the week.

Cobh took the lead in St Colman’s Park in the fourth minute when Coffey’s shot was cleared off the line by a defender, only for the rebound to fall kindly to Sam Bellis who fired in The Rams’ first home goal of the season.

Barry Coffey opened his Ramblers account in the 36th minute with a fine header. The attacking midfielder started the move when he unceremoniously took the ball off his own player to switch play wide. The winger then completed the one-two by digging out a cross for Coffey, who did well to get over his marker and powerfully head to the back post.

Coffey made it 4-0 in the 56th minute with another header. The former Glasgow Celtic youth got free following a corner and lurked at the back post, which he directed neatly just inside the far post.

The win leaves Cobh in second place following their unbeaten start to the season.

Treaty United rescued an impressive 2-2 draw away to the title favourites Dundalk on Friday night, having been 2-0 down on 85 minutes.

Mark Walsh and Niko Kozlowski played in the draw, with Nenagh AFC graduate Kozlowski playing a key part in the comeback. However, the hero was once again Lee Devitt, who has now scored in all of Treaty’s four games so far.

The Limerick side are now unbeaten in three games and sit third in the table. On Friday night they welcome fourth place Wexford to Markets Field for 7.45pm kick-off.

Under 20

Treaty United had a 3-1 loss away to a strong Sligo Town side in their opening group game of the EA Sports men’s under 20 league.

Former Nenagh Celtic underage player Cian Carmody had a strong game for Treaty, who were managed by the Nenagh based duo of Cillian & Oisin Fitzpatrick.

Senior Women

It has been a productive week for Isabel Ryan. On Saturday, the Birr native started for Athlone Town in the opening league game as the Midlanders look to retain the title.

The former Killavilla player played the full match, which ended in a 2-0 victory at home to Wexford FC.

Ryan was busy at the start of last week, in the Kelly Cup with Technical University Shannon (TUS), who recorded a 6-2 win over UCD to make it four wins from four in the competition, which was enough to secure the silverware.

Treaty United women had a 2-0 win over Waterford in their opening league game.

There were debuts for Grace Ehinger on left wing and Clodagh Daly at centre half. The former NTSFL duo are in action again on Saturday, with an away trip to DLR Waves at 3.00pm in the UCD Bowl.

Roscrea’s Ceola Bergin played 82 minutes of Galway United’s opening day 5-1 win over DLR Waves.

Under 19

Treaty United and Cork City played out a 0-0 draw on Saturday with Megan O’Reilly, Ava Neary, Ella Carey, and Lily Anne O'Meara all playing for Treaty and were unlucky not to take away the three points against a strong Cork side.

Molly Kirwan was wearing the number 10 jersey and was on the scoresheet in a 7-0 win for Athlone Town at home to Peamount United on Sunday.

That’s two goals in as many games for the 15-year-old in group A of the LOI academy women’s under 19 league.

Under 17

Treaty United had 1-1 draw away to Kerry. Mioda O’Shea is continuing to be a strong presence in the Treaty side.

Athlone Town continued their impressive form, securing their third consecutive victory by defeating Galway 2-1 away from home. 14-year-old Kayleigh Delaney started the game in central defensive midfield.

The former Killavilla duo of Brian Brooks and John Pio Fitzpatrick are now part of the coaching setup for Klub Kildare’s under 17 women’s team. Ellen Meaney started their most recent match in goal, which was a 5-1 defeat to St Patrick’s Athletic.