An Interview with Davin O'Neill

Playing for clubs experiencing financial difficulties is taxing – even representing one, which could be interpreted as a birthright. Davin O’Neill, holder of two First Division winners’ medals, recently talked to ExtraTime.ie about his footballing career.

A late starter in League of Ireland terms, Davin was 22 when he joined Cobh Ramblers in 2005 from Munster Senior League side Cobh Wanderers: “It was my ambition to play with Ramblers. I got a rude awakening from the intensity level and think I vomited the first training session … I didn’t make a great impression, I’d imagine.”

The Cobh native became his family’s latest member to sign for the Rams: “Frank O’Neill’s my uncle and Paul is my father. Both my grandfathers and their fathers … They all played for Ramblers.”

2007 saw the club clinch the First Division in their final league fixture, away to Athlone Town: “To be successful like that was an honour and an achievement for us local lads. That would have been my third year and losing out again could have stopped me playing for them from then on.”

A single season in the top flight brought challenges on and off the pitch: “It was a learning curve … The standard is much higher. The financial side has been an issue since Ramblers joined the League of Ireland and it fell apart towards the end.”

With Cobh unable to attain a league licence, a move to cash-strapped neighbours Cork City tempted O’Neill: “Ramblers were demoted and it was a chance to gain experience up the road. It was worth the risk and I was delighted that they were interested.”

Within a week, Davin already had a second manager to contend with: “Alan Mathews left three days after I signed … I never met the man. Tom Coughlan was the chairman and he took the meeting. I agreed part-time terms, but Paul Doolin was under the impression that it was a full-time, professional team. The first training session, I was at work and Paul rang me afterwards: ‘Why weren’t you at training?’ ‘You do know that I’m a part-time player and have a job?’ ‘Sure how’s that gonna work?’ That was his response. I’d gotten advice from people I respect. I had just started a family and long-term, financial stability was my concern.”

During O’Neill’s maiden season, Cork City finished third in the Premier Division, but uncertainty abounded: “You didn’t know whether the club was going to fold or not. We were owed a lot of money … It was another year to forget. A lot of false promises, just delusional stuff … Thank God I didn’t quit my job.”

The club in turmoil, Davin looked further afield: “I was about to sign for Waterford. I went down, liked it and Cork City was in a heap.”

At the last minute, Cork’s supporters obtained a First Division licence: “Cork City FORAS signed Tommy Dunne, who I’d known through Doolin. Tommy rang me, but I’d already agreed to join Waterford. After a talk with the family, Cork, even though it was starting up again, would be easier on everyone. I rang the Waterford chairman, to cancel the contract … Thankfully, he did.”

Life under a fans-owned football club involved initial teething problems: “The first few weeks, we were paid in a community centre with coins and five Euro notes. They weren’t massive wages to pay, but they done it, in fairness.”

The new entity’s first league game was away to Derry City: “I remember going up in that bus and there was 13 of us … One, a sub goalkeeper. We had 15 to start, but halfway up, two were called, told that they were ineligible and got out in Dublin ... The bus was tiny, so we had a bit more room then. Dave Rogers got on and said: ‘What the hell is this?’ He played for Shelbourne in a Champions League qualifier ... All of a sudden he’s travelling to Derry in a half-arsed bus.”

In 2011, O’Neill was named ‘Man of the Match’ for the 0-1 EA Sports Cup final loss to Derry City, while also involved in that season’s last-gasp First Division title decider away to Shelbourne.

“I pulled my hamstring two weeks beforehand. I felt okay going into the Shels game, but in the first half I wasn’t right and came off at half-time ... The disappointment, and going up to the family in the stand. I was in the crowd watching that Graham Cummins header, celebrating like a fan.”

“We stopped off in Durrow on the way back. There must have been six or seven buses of Cork City supporters … It was just brilliant. Stemming from that trip to Derry, where we barely had a team, and now we won the First Division.”

Back in the Premier Division and mid-table consolidation: “I got two hat-tricks. The first against Monaghan was written off because they folded, but I still have the ball … They can’t take that back.”

Before the 2013 season, Tommy Dunne announced the attacker’s departure, claiming his “physical job” a factor: “I wasn’t part of his plans, so that was a nice way of saying it … We’re not in the coalmines any more. It was no big shock when I got the phone call ... I enjoyed it while it lasted.”

Cobh Ramblers regained their First Division licence, a return timed to perfection: “I like the way that I finished my League of Ireland career there and not with another team.”

Following a nine-month break from football, Davin rejoined Cobh Wanderers, who he recently helped reach the Irish Daily Mail FAI CUP third round (the club’s first time). He also coaches his son Kai’s side, Springfield Ramblers under-8s.

“When I stop, I’ll concentrate on the kids. I can see myself staying with that team because I’ll be watching Kai, anyway.”

What odds on yet another relation turning out for Cobh Ramblers? Watch this space.