Ramblers coaches look to future
REACTION
Daire Walsh
THERE was disappointment for Cobh Ramblers at Stradbrook last night, as they went down 1-0 to Cabinteely in a tentative SSE Airtricity League First Division clash.
John McKeown’s 63rd minute goal offered a vital edge to the south Dubliners, but many of the Cobh players felt that Jason Abbott’s strike on goal 10 minutes before this opener had crossed the line.
However, speaking after the game, Cobh manager Stephen Henderson said the game had lacked quality, and also praised Cabinteely netminder Cathal Gillen for the save he made from the Ramblers midfielder.
“I don’t think either team played well enough to win the match, to be honest,” said Henderson.
“It was that kind of game. There was some good play up until the final third, and then it just broke down.
“In fairness to their keeper, he made a sensational save in the second half there. Our lads are adamant that it was across the line, but the fact that he even got to it, probably deserved a save anyway.”
With just two games remaining in the current campaign, Henderson admitted that he was already planning for the 2016 season, but was still disappointed to have lost with his current squad.
“We got players out to have a look at, and see where we are,” he said.
“I won’t lie to you, we are looking towards next year, getting a squad together from this year, and what kind of players that we need for next year.
“We’ve already actively started doing that, but we still want to be winning matches until the end of the season. We’re really disappointed to come here, and lose. I thought a draw was probably a fair result, but credit to Cabinteely.”
Following Athlone’s loss to newly-crowned second-tier champions Wexford Youths, Cobh remain in fifth position with 26 games played.
This represents a significant gain on last year, but Henderson is eager to compare his outfit with the top of the division, rather than the bottom.
“We’re 30 points, nearly, off the top two teams, and that’s where we have to be looking,” said Henderson. “We can’t be looking at ‘how far are we off the bottom two teams?’
“That’s the way we’re approaching things. There’s only two games left, and for some of the lads, they’re very important games.”