Heart-breaking defeat hard to take for Ramblers
SOCCER
Daire Walsh
FOLLOWING his side’s 4-3 defeat at the hands of Bohemians in the SSE Airtricity U19 National League at IT Blanchardstown last Saturday, Cobh Ramblers U19 manager Len Hackett revealed that it was hard to take the dramatic nature of their loss.
A 94th-minute goal from Dean Casey was the ultimate difference between the teams, but after seeing his charges facing into a two-goal interval deficit, Hackett was quick to praise the attitude of Ramblers.
“Yeah, that’s hard to take, the four minutes into injury-time. I just thought we dominated the second-half. We gave less chances away. I just thought the performance in the second-half was outstanding from the attitude,” Hackett said.
“At times we were just a bit naive in defending. It’s just a bit disappointing to be conceding in the fourth minute of injury-time. Especially after that comeback.” Ramblers twice drew level in the second-half with goals from Cian McCarthy and Stuart Murphy, and Hackett felt that the introduction of Cal Sheehy (who also scored in the 52nd minute) helped them to gain serious momentum against the Gypsies.
“He [Sheehy] is naturally a striker, but I just thought that putting Cal on the wing, because you get two jobs out of him. You get a winger and a striker out of him, and David Grant-O’Sullivan, he can be a menace wherever he plays.
“Right-back, forward, and he can play in midfield. I just tried to take advantage of that, and it made a big effect on the game as well.” Like most clubs, Cobh are aiming to use their U19 squad as a springboard for the club’s first-team – and some of the Ramblers squad have already gained experience at senior level.
The absence of captain Ben O’Riordan was a blow for Hackett on the day, but even though he is one of three eligible players currently featuring in Stephen Henderson’s plans for the SSE Airtricity League First Division, he believes that they are an example for others to follow.
“We’ve a big loss now today [Saturday]. Our captain, Ben O’Riordan, he’s with the first-team squad for Waterford tomorrow [Sunday]. He’s a great leader, and his attitude is spot on. I think he’ll progress far in his career with his attitude and what he’s trying to achieve.
“I think that’s the lesson to be learned from this group of players. Seeing the likes of Ben O’Riordan, Adam O’Sullivan, Charlie Flemming. We’re missing those three players, which a lot of teams probably don’t realise when they come up against us. They’re three first-team players as well, if you look at it that way,” Hackett added.