Season Preview 2016 - Cobh Ramblers

Manager: Stephen Henderson

Stadium: St Colman's Park

Players in: Rob Lehane (Cork City), Paul Hunt (Longford Town), Cory Galvin (Waterford United), Evan Galvin (Waterford United), Jimmy Griffin (Cobh Wanderers), Markus Gustavasson (IKF Varnamo), Cian Kingston (Ross County), Eoin McCreevy (CIT), Ian Mylod (UCC), Andy O’Connell (Galway United), James Stoat (Cobh Wanderers), Cian McCarthy, Chris Colman, Ben O’Riordan, Charlie Fleming, Kyle McNamara (All promoted from under 19’s squad)

Players out: Darren Murphy (Waterford United), Brendan Frahill (Other commitments), Ryan Goldsmith (Released), Brendan Kenny (Released), Shane Hallahan (Cobh Wanderers), Steven Hickey (Released), David King (Released), Stephen Kenny (Limerick), Ronan Stanton (College Corinthians), Kynan Rocks (Other Commitments).

Extratime.ie Key man:Paul Hunt

The shot-stopper made the move to the Cork outfit from Premier Division side Longford Town and is a goalkeeper that earned some high praise for his displays between the posts in 2015, including a man of the match display against League Champions Dundalk at Oriel Park after his side were forced to play 50 minutes with ten men after Mark Salmon’s red card.

As well as his strong performance, the keeper will also add vital experience in what will be a youthful Ramblers side and his ability to keep attackers at bay will determine if Stephen Henderson’s side can make a dash towards the play-off.

Extratime.ie One to watch: Cory Galvin

Galvin, like his twin brother Evan, returned home from England after a spell with Ipswich Town last summer and signing for Waterford United. The winger had a huge impact within Roddy Collins' squad, scoring five goals in nine appearance, including a brace against his new club in a 2-0 victory for Waterford last November.

With a full preseason under his belt with Cobh, Galvin will be aiming to hit the ground running and the Cork native will be hoping that he can show the ability that earned him a move abroad at a young age.

How they did last season:

After a mixed start to the season, Cobh Ramblers re-appointed Stephen Henderson as manager for a second spell at the end of March and his appointment had an instant response with the Ram picking up three victories and two draws in Henderson’s first five league games at the helm.

Despite the instant response from his side, Henderson will be disappointed that his side could not keep their momentum going throughout the season and they would again falter and would eventually finishing the season with with five consecutive defeats including defeats to strugglers Cabinteely and Waterford United.

League: 6^th

FAI Cup: Second Round - After receiving a bye in Round One, Cobh travelled to Leinster Senior League side Killester United expecting to progress to the third round, however, they were shell shocked by the host performance eventually falling to a 3-0 defeat in front of a joyous home crowd.

EA Sports Cup: Second Round - After an opening round victory over Premier Division side Limerick FC at St Colman’s Park. Like in the FAI Cup, the Rams would again fall to non-league opposition in the Second round when UCC defeated them 3-2 at the Mardyke.

What to expect this season:

After bringing in players of the quality of Rob Lehane, Evan Galvin, Cory Galvin and Paul Hunt, the Rams will be hoping to improve on their sixth place finish. If they can build up some momentum and get Lehane scoring they could push side’s like UCD, Limerick, Drogheda and Shelbourne for the promotion positions.

With several attacking options available to Henderson, it will also be key that his side can shore up the holes at the back and the addition of Hunt in goals will be a massive boost to a side who conceded 45 goals in 28 games.

Despite all the additions, Ramblers will need to do a lot of learning on the job with their first four being against promotion rivals in the shape of Shelbourne, Drogheda United, Limerick and UCD

Title odds: 20/1.

First game: Shelbourne FC Away (Tolka Park), Friday, 4^th March, 7.45pm).