Season Preview 2014 - Cobh Ramblers

Manager: Martin Cambridge
Stadium: St. Colman’s Park

Players In: Damian O’Rourke
Players Out: Kynan Rocks (Waterford), John Meade, Brian Fitzgerald (both Avondale) Davin O’Neill (Retired)

Extratime.ie Key Man: Martin Deady
The Cobh native was Cobh Ramblers’ most consistent performer last season and has been handed the captaincy for the season by new manager Martin Cambridge. The left winger scored seven goals last season, five of which were from the penalty spot. Deady is one of Ramblers’ most experienced League of Ireland players after a previous spell with Limerick, despite the fact that he is still only in his mid-twenties. The winger is set to miss the start of the season through suspension.

Extratime.ie One To Watch: Bobbi Donoghue
The wide man was always a threat for Cobh last season with his pace and trickery causing problems for most full-backs in the First Division. Unfortunately, the Cork man missed a number of games through injury and suspension but Cobh fans will be hoping to see more of the talented youngster this season. The last campaign was his first playing senior League of Ireland football and, at only 19, he’ll be hoping to make further progress this season. Scored an excellent goal in the pre-season friendly against Cork City that was abandoned at half-time due to the awful weather conditions.  

How they did last season:

League: 7th

FAI Cup: Third Round

EA Sports Cup: First Round

Top League Goalscorer: Conor Meade (12 Goals)

What to expect for 2014:

It was a turbulent close-season for Cobh Ramblers with manager Dave Hill leaving the club just three weeks before the opening league game.

Under-19s manager Martin Cambridge took the reins as senior boss and swiftly re-signed the majority of last year’s playing staff along with adding former Cork City and Mervue defender Damian O’Rourke.

Cambridge, who has led the Under-19s to the final of this year’s Enda McGuill Cup, faces a tough task with senior players Davin O’Neill, John Meade and Brian Fitzgerald having moved on to pastures new.

The departure of O’Neill and Kynan Rocks, coupled with the departure of Conor Meade midway through last season, could have a negative effect on the attacking football of last season that led to St. Colman’s Park earning the nickname St. Goalman’s Park.

However, with many exciting young players coming through the ranks at Cobh - proven by this season’s progression to the Enda McGuill Cup final - it is set to be another fascinating season at the club where there is never a dull moment.

Title odds: 40/1

First game: vs Shamrock Rovers ‘B’ (St. Colman’s Park, - Saturday, 8^th March, 7:45pm)