Cobh Ramblers' end of season awards night dominated by Jack Doherty

AFTER what must be described as a special season for Cobh Ramblers, their end of season awards night was of course a positive one to mark their 2023 campaign.

Taking place on Friday, November 10, there were presentations given out for four different awards, and one token of appreciation to Academy Director Ivan Bevan, who is stepping away from his role after five seasons working with the club.

Joining in 2018, Bevan played a significant role in transforming Ramblers’ academy, and has helped give talented young players an opportunity to shine with the East Cork club and forge a career in football.

This year saw the Rams field a team in the WU19 National League for the first time, while the MU19 side finished as the third highest ranked side in the country, after a great season.

No doubt Bevan will be a big miss for the Rams, but his legacy will live on through the transformation of their academy teams in both men’s and women’s football.

Goal of the season came down to four nominations, but the award went to Matthew McKevitt for his outstanding bicycle kick to level it against Waterford and bring the tie to extra time in their playoff final.

A man who played a crucial role in that very goal was Cian Browne, with the Waterford native awarded Young Player of the Year after a season abundant in quality, effort, and plenty of his trademark long throws.

A superb individual season for the wing-back meant Tiernan O’Brien and Justin Equaibor were unfortunate to miss out given their impressive breakthrough seasons.

The only individual to pick up two awards on the night was centre-forward Jack Doherty, with the Rams talisman scoring 18 goals in the First Division this year – more than any Cobh Ramblers’ player ever in a League of Ireland season.

For his goalscoring prowess, the Tipperary man managed to win both Players’ Player of the Year and Supporters Player of the Year.

The players and staff also organised their own end of season awards, with the standout seeing manager Shane Keegan awarded ‘Worst Dressed on a Night Out’ and he certainly fit that bill on the awards night – something he wasn’t too happy about.

Centre-back Brendeán Frahill and the aforementioned Doherty also received recognition for their performances this year, with the pair included in the League of Ireland First Division Team of the Year.

Doherty was also included in the PFAI First Division Team of the Year, while Keegan was shortlisted for PFAI First Division Manager of the Year.

While last season’s Munster Senior Cup success was a mere consolation in such a challenging year for the club, this time around, their triumph felt different.

It was a piece of silverware for a side who deserved something after a remarkable campaign, and they’ll look to make it three in a row for the first time in the club’s history next season.

On and off the pitch it has been an incredible year for the club, and while goalkeeper Lee Steacy’s departure is one that will leave Cobh fans heartbroken, it now means that not a single member of the squad is over the age of 29.

A youthful squad with bags of potential, Cobh Ramblers have now added playoff experience to the CV and should they retain the bulk of the squad Shane Keegan and his backroom team have built, they’ll be a dark horse for the First Division title in 2024.