Cobh Ramblers hold out for a point against Galway United

Cobh Ramblers came through a war of attrition with Galway United and got a 1-1 draw with 10 men against Galway United at St Colman's Park.

The home side went into the game looking for their fifth consecutive win and they had a dream start when Pierce Philips scored after just two minutes.

It was all going according to plan until David Hurley went down inside the penalty area at the end of the first half.

The midfielder, who came through the Cobh Ramblers academy, sent Lee Steacy the wrong way and equalised with just seconds left before the break.

These two moments decided a game fought between two teams desperate not to give anything away as they enter the run in for promotion to the Premier Division.

John Caulfield’s team, standard-bearers this season, had the majority of possession and their cause was helped by Darragh O’Sullivan Connell’s dismissal in the second half.

This actually emboldened the Ramblers and gave them a sense of initiative that had not been seen since Cian Browne set up Liam Kervick in the second minute. He used this ball to set up Pierce and the midfielder fired through a chaotic penalty area and in.

The Ramblers tried to score a second goal after this, and Tiernan O’Brien headed wide while looking at the Liam McMahon Stand.

The best chance that Galway created during this spell came from a Hurley free-kick and Maurice Nugent put this wide.

This had no effect on the confidence that Cobh were playing with as they went straight up the pitch and Kervick narrowly missed the target.

Once things slowed down, Galway wrestled control of the pace of the game from Cobh and this was a turning point.

The Tribesmen ended up with all the possession and created a multitude of chances, with the first one coming from a Conor