Preview | Cobh Ramblers v Cork City

Ramblers continue pre-season preparations this weekend with a friendly against Premier Division neighbours Cork City. The game is set for a 2pm kick-off in Mayfield United as work continues on the St Colman’s Park pitch. It’s the first meeting of the sides since a Munster Senior Cup tie in early 2019.

Midfielder Mikey Foley remains absent through injury while new arrival Conor Drinan will also miss out as he recovers from a slight knock. One trialist will feature for Cobh, with his signing expected to follow shortly after the tie.

A large amount of players will come across their respective former clubs on the day. Ian Turner, Pierce Phillips, John Kavanagh and Kevin Taylor are among the ex-City players in Ramblers’ ranks. While Cian Coleman, Cory Galvin and Charlie Fleming are some former Rams in the Cork side.

We spoke to assistant-manager Dec Coleman before the game regarding any further additions to the squad, as well as the match itself

“We’re still in the market, looking out for players that can add further quality to the side. The Munster Senior League window is closed so any further business would be free agents or loan moves and we aren’t ruling out either.

Pre-season is really coming together now at this stage. With a lot of new lads involved there was a bit of a settling in period. We’ve built gradually up to this stage and players are starting to click. The fitness levels are there and it’s now about lads pushing for places in the team.

On Sunday we want to see our work on tactics, on style of play come across. There’s still a lot to go in pre-season and these games against Premier sides are there to show the lads the level we expect of them. Wins in these games are nice but we aren’t too concerned with the results. If lads can show what we do in training, and get the intensity levels up, then we’re happy.”