Sensational Cobh stun Dundalk for historic final

COBH RAMBLERS pulled off a stunning victory over holders Dundalk in their EA Sports Cup semi-final at a hot and humid St Colman’s Park. The match-winning goal for the First Division club was richly deserved, centre-forward Chris Hull netting in the 75th minute after Lilywhites skipper Dane Massey’s poor infield pass was cut out by Stephen Christopher. He played in Hull to slide the ball past Gabriel Sava at the town end and Cobh held their nerve to see the tie out for a place in their first national final. Stephen Henderson’s charges will face Derry City in the final — a venue has yet to be decided — after the Candystripes also progressed with a 1-0 victory over Sligo Rovers. Kenny Shiels’ side struck in the 25th minute through Rory Hale and were able to hold out at the Showgrounds. But yesterday was all about Cobh, as they tore into Dundalk early on in an attempt to unsettle them. The visitors, with six or seven familiar faces in Stephen Kenny’s starting XI, contested every ball as well and it all made for a robust contest. Cobh, inspired by skipper Shane O’Connor, looked threatening on 27 minutes when Christopher Hurley’s low cross, intended for Hull, was cut out by the diving Sava before Denzil Fernandes fired over. Dundalk’s best chance fell to Lithuanian international Karolis Chevdukas just before half-time but he was smothered out and the opportunity was lost. Dean Jarvis volleyed just wide for the Lilywhites on the restart, Sava saved again from Hurley on the hour before Hull had the ball in the Dundalk net only to be rightly whistled back for offside. The striker wasn’t to be denied, though, and his effort means Ramblers, who previously won the First Division title and the Munster Senior Cup, are final bound.