Stephen Henderson and Stuart Ashton are back with Cobh Ramblers working within the Academy

Cobh Ramblers have appointed former managers Stephen Henderson as Director of their Academy and Stuart Ashton as Head of Academy Coaching.

These roles are funded through the League of Ireland Academy Investment Programme, supported by the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport and Sport Ireland.

The two coaches return to St. Colman’s Park are previously managing the first team on the Great Island.

Henderson is thrilled to be back in Cobh, after leading the club to the 2007 First Division title and their first ever national cup final in 2018.

“It’s brilliant to be back – I’ve had an affinity with this club for decades now at this stage,” he said.

“I love this place. I loved being here as manager and I did my time here at senior level and I’m looking forward to seeing what we can do with the youth players, the boys and girls here. 

"I can’t wait to get going.” 

Henderson was full of praise for League of Ireland Academy Investment Programme that is supported by a number of government organisations.

“It’s massive – let’s have a look at what League of Ireland football has done over the last three or four years as attendances and quality are up,” he explained.

“Professional football is coming through and Brexit has made a huge difference to keeping younger players here for a longer period of time. The onus is now on the clubs now to provide what they can’t get over in England.

“With the government coming in with this funding, the likes of myself and Stuart Ashton have experience at senior level and academy level so we have that to take from. We see what’s needed at the top and we understand what players require.

“To be able to come in and start with eight to twenty year olds is phenomenal. It’s something that is massive for the country. Bringing Stuart in as well in relation to his coaching qualifications, the only way is up.” 

They will oversee an operation that involves various teams in the Underage National Leagues, with everything designed to build towards senior football.

The Ramblers have used this pathway to success in recent years as their first team currently has Luka Le Bervet and Lucas Curtin, two players that moved up through the ranks before stepping up to the League of Ireland First Division.

There’s increased attention on their academy in recent years as former player Charlie O’Brien lines out for Cardiff City, Gabriel Otegbayo plays for Sheffield Wednesday, and Charlie Cummins is a settled part of the Exeter City squad in EFL League Two.

Roy Keane is their most famous son, having lined out for the club before moving to Nottingham Forest and Manchester United.