Cobh Ramblers' Charlie Lyons delighted with season so far

AS referee Oliver Moran blew the final whistle in St Colman’s Park last Friday, the celebrations in Cobh were special. This team are long overdue a good league season, but Shane Keegan has given them something unforgettable.

A 5-1 win over Finn Harps was the perfect way to mathematically secure playoffs.

For a team who have worked so hard over the year to get to this point, it’s a huge relief to have made such promising strides in the space of a season.

Now though, their aim is to continue performing and brace for the eventual playoff fixture, as centre-back Charlie Lyons highlighted in an interview with The Echo.

“As a group we've just kind of said that we just need to take it week by week as it comes,” he begins. “There was a stage where we were looking ahead, thinking about where we could pick up points, but the last few weeks now we've just taken it game per game.

“Now, we’ve four [wins] on the bounce,” says Charlie. “We're just looking forward to Bray now again and hopefully three points. We’re flying it, Jack [Doherty], Mikie [Rowe], everyone. The cohesion between the team now is flying, and it could be an exciting few weeks ahead.” 

The Rams’ strong form this season has often been credited to Shane Keegan and not without reason, but his incredible squad of players, with arguably better strength in depth than anyone in the division have made it possible.

“You have 25 players there that, any one of them could do a job whenever they're needed,” Lyons explains. “Shane was only saying it there during the week, that when he was at Dundalk, they tried to strive for their toughest game of the week being the A v B game on Wednesday or Thursday night [in training].

“We were only saying it to each other that like, in the last few weeks, that's been the toughest game we played in all week. It’s when we do 11 v 11 on Wednesday, so that just shows the kind of quality that's in the squad.

It's definitely the best squad of players I've played with since I've been at Cobh.

“You have a massive mix there between youth and a bit of experience too. Fellas are just getting each other through games and help each other. When Jack or whatever is not on it, someone else is stepping up and delivering the goods for us.” 

Rams fans have been treated to an incredible 2023 season with some already iconic results, and Charlie explains just how much it means to those involved with the club.

“It's a completely different story to last year. If you see the kind of work that goes on behind the scenes, with volunteers in the club, they put so much effort into it.

“I'd say they’re absolutely delighted with it compared to what happened last year. I know nothing's done yet, but I just think once you're in there – it's the playoffs.

“I think we can’t get ahead of ourselves either, because it's one thing getting in there. But ultimately, we want to get promoted, so we won’t be there to take part at all.”