Learning is key for Derek O’Donovan and Cobh Ramblers U17s 

When can a loss be treated as a win?

That’s a philosophical question that can only be answered through the lens of underage football, where the entire focus of the game is developing young players.

Cobh Ramblers U17 manager Derek O’Donovan had to give one of these tutorials recently after his side were downed 1-0 by Waterford FC in the quarter-finals of the Mark Farren Cup at St Colman’s Park. The coach was gutted after the defeat, but still happy with the lessons he was able to give his young team.

“It teaches them lessons – about momentum in games and what it takes, to take your chances when you have opportunities,” he said. “As I said to the lads, we started the first half well and we started the second half well. 

"We had a couple of chances but it is always going to come in different cycles.

“Even if they go forward and play at a senior level like the Munster Senior League, the other team is going to have their moments like Waterford did. You have to take your chances really, don’t you? Take the opportunities.” 

That’s what it comes down to – with the lesson exceptionally harsh for teenagers dreaming of going on to bigger things.

This comes at a time when Cobh have become known for their academy, with Luka Le Bervet’s presence around the first team a testament to that. 

O’Donovan is very familiar with the full-back’s story and the pathway at St Colman’s Park.

“Since I’ve come inside we’ve had Evan Deasey and Lucas Curtin go up,” he said.

“The year it was Luka, who is absolutely flying it at the moment. This year we had a good few lads progress into the U20s and they are starting to play an awful lot with the U20s. 

"There is good potential there, some good players there. And with the new owners coming in, we’ll see what happens.” 

Cobh is already going through a revolution at underage level with former players Adrien Thibaut and Charlie O’Brien now plying their trade with Crewe Alexandra and Cardiff City in the United Kingdom. These are small glimpses of the club’s potential and O’Donovan uses them as an example to his U17s.

SPRINGBOARD

“Two good lads – two good players. Two local lads as well. Adrien actually played with my old club, Douglas Hall. Good lad. A talented player.

“There is potential there and there is pathways there. It is hard work and dedication to what they want to do outside football. 

"Their extra commitments. We tried for the last few weeks to bring in a little bit of individual work into their sessions. 

"We spent the first 20-25 minutes doing individual and unit work. The lads have to follow on with that themselves to try and progress themselves.

“It’s not enough even though we are doing three sessions here a week. 

You have to do your extras. You have to gym work. You have to do your recovery. It is very important, as I said to the lads a while ago.” 

The ultimate focus is the U17s and the day-to-day nature of managing a team in the Underage National Leagues.

The Ramblers have known success at this level, they won their plate competition last season, but that promises nothing given the year-on-year turnover.

“It hasn’t been too bad – it would have been nice to get into a semi-final,” O’Donovan talked about this season at St Colman’s Park and the Waterford game.

“We started a bit rocky and we went through a change in management. 

"Myself and Paul McGee took over and we asked Stephen [O’Keeffe] to come in. It’s a good bunch. There’s good staff there and they are good help with the lads. They have good knowledge.

HARD WORK

“It was a rocky start but we picked up a good bit. I’ve been involved with the U17s for the last three years now and what you find is that the second half of the season where things really start to kick in. 

"They develop an awful lot more in the second half of the season – physically, mentally, and psychologically. 

"It is hard work.”