Match Report: Dundalk FC 1–0 Cobh Ramblers

📸 Photo by Gerry Scully

📍Oriel Park

Friday, June 27th, 2025

Arubi’s Acrobatics Send Dundalk Four Points Clear

Dundalk FC bounced back from Monday’s narrow loss in Ballybofey with a hard-fought 1–0 win over promotion rivals Cobh Ramblers at Oriel Park, thanks to a stunning first-half overhead kick from Gbemi Arubi.

The result sees the Lilywhites extend their lead at the top of the SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division to four points going into the final game before the mid-season break.

First Half: Arubi’s Moment of Magic

Dundalk made three changes following the defeat to Finn Harps, and it was one of those returning players who stole the spotlight early on.

After a cagey opening, Sean Keogh had the first attempt with a long-range effort that was comfortably gathered by Cobh ‘keeper Tim Martin.

But the breakthrough came on 13 minutes. A miscued cross-field pass was pounced upon by Eoin Kenny, whose cross sparked chaos in the Ramblers’ box. After pinballing off Dean Ebbe and Luke Mulligan, the ball sat up perfectly for Arubi, who executed a sublime bicycle kick to fire into the top corner, a goal of the season contender that left the Oriel Park faithful stunned.

Dundalk nearly made it two five minutes later when Mulligan drove forward and fired narrowly wide from distance.

Cobh responded through Cian Murphy, who forced a smart stop from Enda Minogue after being slipped in by Barry Coffey. That save kept Dundalk in front heading into the break, with Daryl Horgan and Keogh also going close.

📸 Photo by Gerry Scully

Second Half: Digging Deep to Get the Job Done

Dundalk looked to kill the game early in the second half. Horgan burst down the left and picked out Ebbe in the middle, but the striker fired wide under pressure.

Cobh grew into the contest and threatened an equaliser, with Minogue twice coming to Dundalk’s rescue, first using his feet to deny Murphy and then tipping over a looping effort from Jonas Hakkinen.

Despite those scares, the Lilywhites remained composed. Paraschiv nearly doubled the lead with a thunderous volley that dipped just over the bar, while Kenny saw a late shot easily handled after a slick breakaway.

With tensions rising, Cobh captain Cian Coleman saw red in stoppage time for a second bookable offence after hauling down Aodh Dervin near the corner flag.

That allowed Dundalk to close out the game and secure a vital three points in front of a vocal home crowd.

📸 Photo by Gerry Scully

Dundalk FC: Minogue; Animasahun, Keogh, Leonard, Mulligan (McHale 71); Dervin, Horgan, Kenny, Ward (Paraschiv 59); Arubi, Ebbe (Groome 59)

Subs not used: Cherrie, Molloy-Murray, Spaight, Tracey

Booked: Ebbe (38), Animasahun (56)

Goal: Arubi (13’)

Cobh Ramblers: Martin; Griffin, Hakkinen, Le Bervet Bardsley; Coffey, Coleman, Holland (Bellis 65), O’Keefe (Abbott 71); Murphy, Whelan

Subs not used: Lane, Evers, O'Donovan, Curtin, Frahill, Deasy, Carroll

Booked: Le Bervet Bardsley (20), Murphy (26), Griffin (68), Coleman (79, 90)

Sent off: Coleman (90)

Referee: Oliver Moran

Attendance: 1,436

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Next Up

The Lilywhites hit the road next Friday as they make the long trip to Mounthawk Park to take on Kerry FC in Tralee. With momentum on our side, Kilduff’s men will be aiming to build on a massive three points.