The Extratime.ie Sportscast Episode 100 - Stephen Henderson - Tom O'Connor

On the centenary extratime.ie Sportscast, Dec Marron and Dave Donnelly catch up with one of the league's most outspoken managers and deep thinker, Stephen Henderson.

The Cobh Ramblers manager is busy preparing his side for the latest First Division season, which has seen the second tier increased to ten teams from last year's eight.

Having been a vocal critic of the decision to scrap the play-offs last season – and his side again finished second, so would have earned a place – he welcomes their return this year.

He also speaks about the decision to solely play full-time professional teams in pre-season as he looks to set standards from the first whistle and 'over-achieve' with an amateur squad.

Henderson – whose son Stephen is a goalkeeper like his father, currently on loan from Nottingham Forest to Portsmouth – talks about the club's challenge to earn respect from the Cork football public.

And the sartorially-gifted coach discusses the entrance of Dundalks' investors, a consortium led by Peak6, into the league and whether it's a missed opportunity not to prioritise infrastructural investment.

That's a point the lads take up with extratime.ie's north-east correspondent Tom O'Connor, who talks us through the takeover as well as speaking about his excellent educational series, Life Beyond Soccer.

Having spoken to more than a dozen influential figures in Irish soccer, Tom has put together a wealth of information for sportspeople in Ireland who are looking to realise their ambitions in sport while also taking care of their education.

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