Mid Season Report Card - Cobh Ramblers
Club: Cobh Ramblers.
Manager: Stephen Henderson.
Stadium: St. Colman's Park.
Highest attendance this season: 410 vs Cabinteely (April 4th, 2015).
Highest league goalscorer: Darren A. Murphy and Rob Waters (three goals each).
How we thought they would do
Having finished seventh and eighth respectively in the two seasons since their return to the League of Ireland after a four-year absence in 2013, Cobh Ramblers weren't considered promotion candidates before the start of the 2015 campaign. While they managed to rack up 31 points in their comeback season, last year's return of 14 points was a disappointing regression for the Cork club. Having made some good signings, they would have entered this season hoping to better that tally at the very least.
How they really have done
A 3-2 extra-time victory over Premier Division Limerick in the EA Sports Cup First Round aside, the Rams made a disappointing start to the campaign by losing their opening four league games. They essentially picked up from where they left off in 2014 – Cobh gleaned just one point from their final four games and were without a win since beating Finn Harps 1-0 at St. Colman's Park in September.
Rams boss Martin Cambridge and his assistant Shane Kavanagh resigned their positions following the 4-1 reverse at the hands of Wexford Youths after series three. Coach Anthony Wolfe stepped in to fill the breach for the 2-0 loss to Harps in Ballybofey before Cobh brought in the man who helped stop the rot: Stephen Henderson.
The return of the manager who led the Rams to the First Division title in 2007 immediately restored some optimism around St. Colman's which filtered through to the players. In Hendo's first game in charge, Cobh picked up their first win, a 1-0 home victory over Cabinteely.
Despite also experiencing cup exits to non-league opposition – 3-2 to UCC in the EA Sports Cup and 3-0 to Killester United in the FAI Cup – this was the start of a turnaround in fortunes which yielded four wins and four draws from Cobh's next ten league games. The Rams are now sixth in the First Division table with 16 points at the halfway stage – two more than last season's final tally.
Moment of the season so far
Defeating Cabinteely 1-0 at St. Colman's Park in Stephen Henderson's first game in charge. Having lost their first four games, conceding 13 goals and scoring just once in the process, the enormity of getting that first win cannot be understated. This was the beginning of a five game unbeaten run for Cobh too, proving they have the ability to mix it with the best sides in the division on their day.
Star Player – Shane O'Connor
Given the strength of his performances since signing for the Rams in the off-season, the only surprise is that the former Liverpool academy player has yet to hit the target for Cobh. Despite this, O'Connor has been a central figure to his side's revival under Henderson, turning in dynamic displays, either from midfield or in the Cobh frontline, to give opposing defenses all sorts of problems.
Surprise star player – Eoghan Murphy
Murphy joined the Rams for the second half of the 2014 campaign but made just four league appearances. He has already more than doubled that tally this season, firmly establishing himself in the Rams defence. His goal-line clearance in the dying moments of the 2-2 draw with Cabo in Stradbrook ensured Cobh left South Dublin with a point – with Henderson later admitting his shock at the display of flexibility from Murphy, explaining that he wasn't “renowned” for doing Pilates or yoga.
Young player – Ryan Goldsmith
With so many young players in the squad at St. Colman's Park, choosing one is difficult. Adam O'Sullivan and Jonathan Creamer – who has unfortunately suffered a season ending cruciate ligament injury after making seven appearances – have impressed. U19 graduate Goldsmith, though, has been particularly prominent in his second season at senior level and netted the winner against Shelbourne in St. Colman's in April.
Star signing – Darren A. Murphy
One of two Darren Murphys at the club, the younger Murphy signed in the off-season having been on the fringes of the Cork City squad which finished runners-up to Dundalk in the Premier Division last year. The former Rebels U19 Elite Division winning captain has become a key figure in the Rams midfield, scoring against Finn Harps in May and hitting the only goal of the game against Waterford United in the RSC in June.
What they need to do in the transfer market
Like the majority of clubs in the First Division, players would have to depart before Cobh could realistically think about new signings. 27 different players have made league appearances for the Rams this season already, but if they were to go looking for something, a regular goalscorer would be top of the list. Cobh have only hit 12 goals this season – of all 20 LOI clubs, only Cabo and Premier Division Bray Wanderers have hit less (11 each).
Where we see them finishing
With Finn Harps, Wexford Youths and UCD the current top three – with Shelbourne and possibly Athlone Town (should new boss Alan Mathews turn things around) also vying for the play-off places – expecting the Rams to make a late charge into the promotion race would be a big ask.
However, their new-found resilience under Henderson makes them a dangerous opponent for any of the aforementioned sides and they will surely have a say in who finishes where come the end of the season – but if they do wish to make an indelible mark on this campaign, they need to start winning away from home. Though they've picked up some good points on their travels, Cobh are yet to win a league game outside of St. Colman's in 2015.