Cobh Ramblers' Jack Doherty: "It’s like a big family"

COBH Ramblers aggregate win over Wexford was special in many ways, but with St Colman’s Park almost full and the players giving 110%, it was the perfect showing of just how unique the bond between the fans and players are at this football club.

“It’s the biggest crowd I’ve ever played in front of,” says man of the match Cian Browne. “Honestly, it makes some difference when you have all those fans there supporting you, screaming your name, everyone's name, celebrating tackles, all that stuff.

It means the absolute world to have them there, and it was emotional after the game, after listening to them all, but it was just brilliant to have them all there.

“The shift we’ve put in all year, from the start now to the finish of this game. I think as a team, we really deserve this,” Cian explains. “So, to have it go on to next week now, and have that to look forward to is great.

“[It was] the toughest game ever, playing physically. I’ve never played on a pitch like that, with that rain and the wind, and it just caught up really quickly. Going down the sidelines trying to take throws, it’s just pure bog. The whole team, we dug deep and we got over the line, thank God.” 

With their promotion playoff final taking place against Waterford next week, it means Cian will go up against his former club.

“Next week now, is something I’d look forward to,” he says. seeing all the lads again. I'm taking the week off work now, so I don't have to see them for the week thank God, but next Friday or Saturday, hopefully we'll do our best and hopefully get the result over the line.” 

“It was tough there tonight, you know, with the conditions,” says Jack Doherty. “But look, we came into it just wanting to get over the line and we happened to do that so we’re quite happy, but focus is on to the next one now.

“[Being the underdog] kind of goes out the window really in a one-off game, anything can happen, and on the night, if we do what we're capable of doing, I think we have every chance as they do.

While it’s not over yet, the journey has been an incredible one for the Rams, and Doherty puts that down to Shane Keegan.

“He's been brilliant. He gives lads freedom, and he just encourages everybody. [I] never hear him giving out to anyone, [he’s] always encouraging no matter if we're behind or winning.

“He's just the same all the time, and the young lads feed off that,” says Jack. “It's brilliant that he’s like that and it shows on the pitch, everyone is together. It’s like a big family.

On getting the assist for James O’Leary’s goal, Jack remarks; “You would be just praying for one of those balls down the line, so you can kind of run on to it.

“It was hard to get the ball to come to your feet a lot on the pitch because it's so sobby and if you get on it, then they can easily nick it.

“But I just turned the defenders, and happened to see James at the back and just tried to put it in as best I could, and I'm delighted that he got the goal, he deserves it with the few injuries he's had and stuff like that. So, I'm happy for him.”