Donnellan thrilled to sit top of table
SOCCER
Daire Walsh
Cobh Ramblers midfielder Craig Donnellan has described last Friday’s victory over Shelbourne in the SSE Airtricity League First Division as one of the toughest games his side have faced all season.
This was the first time that Ramblers had defeated Shels since Owen Heary took charge of the Dubliners midway through last year’s campaign, and Donnellan was thrilled to come out on the right of the result.
“It was probably one of the toughest games we’ve had all season. They’re a good side, they’ve a lot of experienced players, but we dug in and we took our chance. Then we defended well, so we’re all thrilled with that,” said Donnellan.
Cobh defender Chris McCarthy had headed over from a Donnellan cross in the opening period, before an audacious effort by Karl Caulfield saw them breaking the deadlock in the 50th-minute. There was some discussion in the dressing room afterwards about whether his successful shot was an intentional one, but Donnellan was in no doubt about the authenticity of the ex-Avondale United man’s winner.
“We were talking there to see if he meant it or not, but he definitely meant it. He has that in his locker, he’s a great player. We’re just delighted, and UCD and Waterford drew, so we’re top of the league now.”
Indeed, ahead of their away assignment with Athlone Town this Friday, Cobh finding themselves one point clear of Waterford FC. Donnellan is pleased they are defying expectations.
“At the start of the season, we were just a team to make up numbers, people were saying. We all think that we’re good enough to get promoted, and we’ll be there ‘til the end. We said that, once we’re kind of top-two when it comes to the end of the season, we’ll kick on again.”
From their opening 10 games of the 2017 league season, Cobh have recorded just two losses: Away to Cabinteely and Waterford. On both occasions, they quickly returned to winning ways and Donnellan acknowledged they were particularly keen to make amends for the disappointing 4-1 reversal at the hands of Cabinteely.
“We were all disappointed, especially the Cabinteely match, we were very disappointed. Not so much against Waterford, because we played well. We were disgusted against Cabinteely, but we just put our heads down and started working again. The results are coming and hopefully they’ll keep coming.”
After a productive loan spell in 2016, Donnellan signed permanently from Cork City at the beginning of this term. He has played a more advanced role at times, but was more than happy to adopt to a more defensive mindset for a difficult trip to Drumcondra.
“The last few games it was me and Karl pushed on, but Hendo [manager Stephen Henderson] wants me doing a different job now defending. Whatever I have to do for the team I’ll do it. I’m happy enough. Once we keep winning, I’ll be happy,” Donnellan added.