Cobh Ramblers 1 Treaty United 1 (AET) (Treaty United win 2-1 on aggregate)
Treaty United are through to the First Division Play-Off Final, where they will face Bray Wanderers after defeating Cobh Ramblers 2-1 over two legs, though it took extra time in St. Colman’s Park for United to get a 1-1 draw on the night.
As the game entered injury time, and with the away end in full voice, the ball dropped to Cobh substitute Matthew Whelan, who controlled it brilliantly before sweeping a shot into the bottom corner to level the tie.
Half-time of extra time was approaching when Eoin Martin drove the ball forward. A pass to Lee Devitt was dished off to Ben Lee on the wing, who found Martin with a low pass, the centre-half coolly dispatching it into the back of the net. The Shannonsiders hung on and have advanced to a first-ever First Division Promotion Play-Off Final.
Eoin Martin gives Treaty United the lead in extra-time!
15 minutes left for Cobh Ramblers to get back into it! pic.twitter.com/qsn2gyMech
— League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) October 28, 2025
Treaty’s 1-0 victory at home on Friday night had them in control of the tie, and they started the brighter of the two sides. Karl O’Sullivan made the most of an early defensive error to get away the first shot in anger of the second leg. The early stages felt like a balancing act for Cobh as they struggled to settle, knowing they needed to score at least once. They also knew that conceding first could be fatal to their promotion hopes.
Richie Holland was in the dugout for Cobh after Mick McDermott’s sudden departure last week, and the away end were more than willing to share their thoughts on the situation. But Holland’s side grew into the game as the half wore on, and a quick throw created a chance for Cian Murphy, but his volley was saved at the near post. The end of the first half was dominated by stoppages and injuries, one of which saw Cian Coleman replaced by John O’Donovan.
Cobh came out like a team who had one quarter of the tie left to make something happen and they took control of the game immediately. Cian Bargary got an early look at goal before an O’Donovan cross created a headed opportunity for Murphy.
Treaty found themselves with the finish line in sight and clearly wanted to protect their lead, even if that meant sacrificing the ball. They nearly made the most of a rare counter-attack when Joe Hanson sent a shot across the face of goal begging to be turned in but with no one there to oblige.
There was controversy on the hour mark as Murphy went down in the area under a challenge, but it was waved away by referee, Oliver Moran much to the anger of the home crowd. Ramblers continued to pepper balls into the Treaty penalty area but to no avail, the frustration increasing with every passing moment. The game became stretched and Treaty now found themselves getting opportunities with Devitt having his shot saved by Timothy Martin.
A late O’Donovan free kick looked like it might creep in at the back post but Corey Chambers got a strong enough hand to it turn it away. The hosts eventually found their goal with substitute Whelan levelling the tie in injury time. Yet despite the late equaliser, there was still time for drama as Mark Byrne was immediately provided with an opportunity to win it for Treaty, but his shot cleared the bar. On we went to extra time.
The home hero Whelan nearly got Cobh off to the perfect start in the extended period as his run down the left and pull back fell to Murphy who saw his effort saved by Chambers. The game was much more balanced now with both teams feeling victory was in their grasp. Devitt showed some brilliant footwork to create and opening for himself before sending a tame shot wide. Then, in first half injury time, Martin converted a clever Lee cut back to restore Treaty’s lead in the tie.
That goal felt like it knocked the life out of Cobh who nearly pulled level again with Jonas Hakkinen’s header going inches wide of the post, but Treaty managed the game well from that point on and were able to see out the draw on the night which will take them to their first ever play-off final, the delight in the away end clear for all to see.
Cobh Ramblers: Martin; Hughes (Bellis 63), Coleman (O’Donovan 37), Hakkinen, Griffin, O’Keeffe (Griffin 73) (Evers 98), Cribb (Gourdie HT), Bargary (Whelan 73), Coffey, McGlade, Murphy.
Treaty United: Chambers; Boevi, Lynch, Martin, O’Connor, O’Sullivan, Byrne, Conroy (Healy 98), Devitt, Lynch (Lee 77), Hanson (Doherty 70).
Referee: Oliver Moran