Blues Hit Three Crackers in Cobh

Cobh Ramblers 1 Waterford 3

(St Colman's Park)

10th January 2026

 

Three superb goals from Conan Noonan, Tommy Lonergan and Orion Cala saw Waterford come away from St Colman’s Park with a very satisfactory 3-1 win today in their second game of preseason. Following on from Tuesday’s 2-1 win at the Carlisle Grounds, Jon Daly’s Blues made it two wins from two, but, more importantly, showed a lot of promise for the season ahead with key players impressing, youngsters making their mark and triallists giving the manager plenty to ponder in the days ahead.

Conan Noonan opened the scoring in the 13th minute with a stunning strike to the top corner from thirty yards. Tommy Lonergan doubled the lead four minutes after the break with a sweetly-struck free kick from just outside the penalty arc. Cobh pulled a goal back within three minutes when Rhys Kelly Noonan’s shot took a deflection and gave Arlo Doherty no chance to save it. Orion Cala, then, completed the scoring midway through the second half with a beautiful left-footed strike low to the net from outside the box. 

The Blues lined up with four at the back and two players in front of them at the base of midfield. Three triallists featured again today. Zayshaun Asamoah (wearing 15) looked good again - he may even be faster than his older brother Maleace! Zay scored the first goal in Bray during the week and won a penalty after 26 minutes today when a quick throw from Pádraig Amond set him away and he tricked a defender into a clumsy challenge. Ex-Blues goalkeeper Corey Chambers, however, saved Conor Carty’s spot-kick low to his right. Asamoah started on the right wing, but swapped back and forth with Noonan on the far side. 

 

Preseason work at St Colman's Park (M.Walsh)

Norwegian Jorgen Voilas (99) came on at half time and played in a number ten role behind Lonergan. His touch was assured and he was constantly making himself available for passes. He looks to have a lot about him having scored the second goal in Bray and performed well today. Lee Jonas (17) slotted in at right back for the second half, got on the ball a lot and played good, progressive passes forward. He was initially troubled by new Cobh signing Anto Adenopo, but got to grips with the task.

Orion Cala continues to show up as one of the most exciting prospects around. The former Park Rangers schoolboy only turned 16 two weeks ago, but is proving to be a serious contender for the first team. Having been highlighted as one of the top performers on Tuesday in Bray, Cala looked very sharp again today and added a terrific goal which will certainly have caught Jon Daly’s eye. Of the other young local players, Romeo Lapite played an hour in midfield as the only player to feature in both halves. Seán Keane was impressively commanding at the back and not afraid to bark out orders to more senior players. All the rest were very solid.

Waterford’s latest signing, Canadian Jordan Faria, played on the right wing for the second half and showed up well. Tidy on the ball, with a good touch, but not particularly pacy, he was described as being “a Sander Puri-type winger”. He likes to drop the shoulder and beat defenders and might suit the left wing more, coming in to attack on his right foot. Jesse Dempsey and Evan McLaughlin added to the absentees today along with Sam Glenfield, Dean McMenamy, Trae Coyle, Adam Coyne and Finlay Armstrong as there is no need to risk anyone with even the mildest fitness issues at this point in the season. 

 

Cian Flanagan leads the warm-up (E.Cusack)

A final note about the dugout. Daly was said to be very instructive from the sideline – not bawling and roaring, but giving constant advice to his players. He still found time to have a laugh with Amond and coach Richard Foster during the second half. Ken Hennessy, formerly of Cobh himself, appears to be working as kit manager while personal trainer Cian Flanagan of Tramore AFC took the team for their warm-ups. 

Lots of positive signs as the Blues continue to prepare for the league opener at home to Shelbourne on the 6th of February. Next up, it’s another First Division challenge in Cork City on Wednesday at noon in Ballincollig. We might see decisions made on triallists by then or new additions to the squad with the UK loans market also being explored.

First half - Stephen McMullan; Alan Zborowski, John Mahon, Ronan Mansfield, Benny Couto; Zayshaun Asamoah, Luke Heeney, Romeo Lapite, Conan Noonan; Pádraig Amond, Conor Carty.
Second half – Arlo Doherty; Lee Jonas, Seán Keane, Hayden Cann, Shayne McDonald; Muhammad Oladiti, Romeo Lapite; Jordan Faria, Jorgen Voilas, Orion Cala; Tommy Lonergan.
Also used – Aaron Cass, Bobby Keohan, Noah O’Brien. Unused sub – Jason Healy.