Page 38 - COBH WANDERERS V SLIGO ROVERS FAI CUP 3RD ROUND 2015

Cobh Ramblers/Wanderers Over 35’s History (in brief).
The M.S.L. introduced an over-35 section to their programme in 1996 and Cobh was repre-
sented by Ramblers from the start. Through many a lean year on the pitch characters came
and went but it was full credit to Charlie Crowley and Con Brierley especially for keeping the
show on the road for so long. Though the matches lasted 50 minutes the post-game analy-
sis could go on for many an hour in some hostelry or other. Few incidents were, however,
debated as much as Paul O’ Neill’s ‘skied’ penalty on the night of the 11th of May 2001 when
we were denied the chance of a cup final appearance at the hands of Glasheen, ultimately
losing the shoot-out 8-7. In 2006 we went international with a trip to Poland for a presti-
gious tournament involving two home teams, one from the Ukraine and ourselves. The fun
started with Frank McCall’s passport-gate in London and it never really stopped after that. We
finished fourth but drew enormous pride from finishing at all considering the condition of the
players that took to the field. To say the trip was incident-packed would be an understate-
ment but the on-field highlight had to be Mark O’ Mahony’s emphatic finish past a disbelieving
Con Brierley to help our Polish friends on their way to victory. The hosts must have realized
the potential of our squad at the time and failed to re-invite us!
Wanderers entered a team in the Over-35’s for the first time in the 2008/2009 season. The
appointment of Paddy O’ Connor to the helm saw some radical reforms like the introduction of
some ‘training’ sessions for the squad and signing some ‘serious’ players. This new approach
paid immediate dividend when the squad won the league unbeaten (ten wins and one draw),
and reached the semi-final of the cup. The following season saw the team reach the cup final
only to be beaten by a strong and deserving Carrigaline United outfit. Paddy went out at
the top when his third and final season in charge saw the Wanderers regain the league title
with a record of eight wins and two defeats. The 2011/2012 season was a year of reflection
when most eligible players stayed at home on Friday nights and ‘reflected’, while some of us
showed up, threw on the jersey and surrendered our dignity ‘like men’.
It was time to show leadership so our leader took charge of the situation in 2012. Joe Stack
took the reins and promised a new direction for the team. The plan was to target the Flood-
lit Cup and use the league games as mere practise sessions. A radical plan indeed, but as it
turned out, hugely successful. The season finale saw us beat Corinthians 1-0 in the cup final
thanks to a John O’ Rourke goal just before half-time. Retaining the cup the following season,
following a penalty shoot-out against Ringmahon Rangers was, to say the least, a surprise
but proof positive of the merits of this ‘new direction’. I had my speech ready for the three
in a row but like some other pipe-dreams; ‘scoring at Wembley’ and ‘being allowed back into
Poland’, I know they’re never going to happen!!