Season Preview 2017 - Cobh Ramblers

Manager: Stephen Henderson

Stadium: St Colman's Park

Ins: Craig Donnellan, Adam Mylod (Cork City), Shane Lowth, Ross Mann (Limerick), Ryan Hogan (Trevecca University), Michael Sadys (Mayfield United), Karl Caulfield (Kilreen Celtic), Dean Swords (Ringmahon Rangers).

Outs: Shane O'Connor, Gary Comerford (Waterford).

Extratime.ie Key Man: Paul Hunt

Ever present between the posts in 2016, the former Longford custodian had eleven clean sheets in his debut season with the East Cork side. A strong defensive shape was fundamental in Ramblers’ march to the playoffs last season with Hunt in fine form throughout. If Ramblers are to compete for honors this time round Stephen Henderson will be relying on the Stevenage born keeper to excel again

Extratime.ie One to Watch: Matthew Whelan

Signed to the club’s under-19 side in July 2016 from Ballincollig, the young striker soon became a fans’ favorite when he headed in two superb senior goals against Cabinteely and Athlone. Whelan has previously been a member of the Cork Youths Side and was a key player in Ballincollig’s National Youths Cup win of 2016. Hopefully we will see more of this talented player in 2017

How they did last season:

League: 3^rd

FAI Cup: Quarter-finals

EA Sports Cup: First Round

Ramblers overcame a six-point deficit in the last five matches to overhaul UCD and finish third in the First Division table behind runaway champions Limerick and Drogheda. Ramblers earned a maximum 15 points from their final five games to jump from fourth place to third. A 2-0 home defeat to the Co. Louth side in the first leg of the Promotion/Relegation Play-off in front of their biggest crowd of the season was a big blow.

Ramblers had levelled the tie within nine minutes of the second leg, only for Gareth McCaffrey to seal Drogheda’s place in the play-off against Wexford Youths. FAI Cup quarter-finalists was a satisfactory return although the Cobh men would probably like to have the first half at Inchicore back. A first Munster Senior Cup in 30 years also made its way to the harbour town with Ramblers recording a 2-1 victory over Rockmount in Turners Cross

What to expect this season:

The changes announced to the league structure at the back end of last year which Fran Gavin described as “brave” on RTE Radio this weekend certainly haven’t gone down well with the majority of first division clubs. Anyone who attended games in St. Colman’s Park towards the business end of last season would have seen the excitement as the local side surged up the table chasing a playoff spot with the increased gate receipts fundamental to survival.

The absence of a playoff this season certainly doesn’t augur well for competitiveness of the division especially if a team go on a run similar to Limerick last season and be well out of sight before the final series of matches take place. Surviving this year in the league financially must be Ramblers' priority.

Henderson has managed to retain the majority of last season’s squad so there is a familiarity about the side’s structure. A feature of Ramblers' play last year was their solid base from the back, and we can expect more of the same this season with Hunt and new club captain Chris McCarthy at the helm. Up front things don't look so promising as the loss of last season’s top scorer Shane O'Connor to Waterford has been felt with Ramblers only recording one goal in their five preseason games.

Ramblers have a very young squad with the majority having experience from last season’s campaign. If they are to compete they will need goals, the club possess some fine attacking talent in Jonathan Creamer and Matthew Whelan, and with Jason Abbott returning from injury the East Cork side will be relying on these young players to step up under the tutelage of Ashton and Henderson and provide the Rams with the attacking threat they need.

Title odds: 40/1

First Game: Wexford (home), Saturday February 25^th (kick-off 3pm)