Can Cobh Ramblers go all the way?

COBH Ramblers travel east to take on Wexford FC in Ferrycarrig Park this evening for the first leg of their playoff semi-final.

This is Wexford’s first time ever competing in the playoffs, though they have featured in the Premier Division once in their history, after winning the First Division title in 2015 and subsequently earning promotion to the top tier.

Their stay only lasted one season, similarly to Cobh Ramblers title win in 2007 and Premier Division run in 2008, though the consequences of Cobh’s relegation were much worse.

COLLAPSE

The team failed to obtain a license for the First Division in 2009 as a result of financial difficulties and did not return to the league until 2013. It was a long wait for the Rams, and uncertainty over the future of the club meant it was a really challenging period for the club.

But now they’re back in contention, and 2023 is arguably the best chance that they’ve had of getting promotion over the last 11 years. The Ramblers’ last playoff run was in 2016, as they finished third but lost out in the playoff semi-final to Drogheda with an aggregate score of 3-2.

They came painfully close in 2017, but since that season had no playoffs, their second placed finish bared no fruit as Waterford won the league, beating them to the title by just eight points.

With the return of the playoffs shortly after, Ramblers came close to qualifying in 2020, but with the colossal disappointments that were 2021 and 2022, it meant they still hadn’t made a proper promotion push since 2007.

Shane Keegan’s impact on this Ramblers side over the last season and a half has been nothing short of remarkable, and the signings the club have made this season have transformed them into a powerhouse.

To go from being the laughingstock of the league last year, to comfortably best of the rest and one of the most feared away trips this season is incredible.

Looking ahead to tonight’s game in an interview last week, Shane Keegan remarks; “We’re just really looking forward to it now at this stage. We were talking about in the dressing room the other day, and we just kind of drew the line under the season.

No matter what happens in the playoffs, it's been an incredibly successful season, and nothing can take that away from us.

“But now, it's almost like this is a new challenge in its own right. How far can we take this? We believe we're capable of giving it a right good rattle, even though I think it is a toss of a coin between ourselves and Wexford.

“There's absolutely nothing between the sides, which is why I believe that we have every much as chance that they have,” Shane says. “We have to play Tuesday’s game full tilt. I think they're all in good shape, there’s no point anybody minding themselves.

“We just need to go out as best as we possibly can, and then see where we are come Wednesday morning. I would be amazed if the game isn't still in the balance going to Colman’s for the home leg.” 

Tiernan O’Brien is back in light training, meaning he now stands a chance of being involved for the Rams over the two games, while Wexford FC should have the entire squad fit and available for this one.

With both teams having almost the entire pick, it’s an exciting showdown between two clubs who have been impossible to separate all season.