Cobh Ramblers have endured a lot of change in 2025, with a new manager, a new director of football, and new ownership all arriving within the last six months.
US-based group Digital Athlete Ventures (DAV) took a 90% stake in Cobh Ramblers last July. DAV is backed by a number of prominent sports investors, including Bryant Clark, Alex Malavenda, and Ilya Movshovich.
“Obviously everyone is aware of the previous issue. For us it was trying to fix something that wasn’t the fault of the club,” explained Movshovich. “There was an opportunity to take control and rebuild to the fullest potential.”
Ramblers have been busy over the last month, firstly appointing a new director of football in Conor Meade. The club followed that announcement by unveiling Fran Rockett as first team manager two days later.
Movshovich seemed extremely confident in his new director of football and manager, making it clear that there is a long-term plan in place at the club and that there is a reason both Fran and Conor were brought in.
Rockett had previously been the club’s assistant manager between 2021 and 2023, but he is now looking forward to sitting in the hot seat. “It was always my end goal or my North Star,” said Rockett. “I can’t hide behind anyone anymore.”
The 40-year-old has been in said seat once before, having been in charge of Waterford in 2020 for seven games as caretaker manager. After just a month in the role at Cobh, Rockett already seems overjoyed to have the decision-making responsibilities, with some of his players returning early for what he described as pre-pre-season.
“There are young, hungry players here, players that want to play for Cobh,” Rockett stated. He understood there would be significant figures within the squad who would depart, but he also made it clear there would be incomings. “We’re quite clever with our recruitment so far. I think the fans will be happy.”
“I had a good chat with Barry (Coffey). I’m well aware of the food chain that exists in football, that there might be bigger offers out there right now. So Barry notified me that he wouldn’t be staying,” added Meade, speaking about the squad turnover.
Coffey had been an influential player in the Cobh squad that finished second in the 2025 First Division campaign. The former Cork City and Celtic man picked up the top scorer award along with the PFAI First Division Player of the Year.
After the loss of such a talented footballer, Meade said the club would have to accept it, wish him the best, and move forward.
When asked about what Cobh Ramblers’ style of play would be under his tutelage, Rockett made it clear he intended on making a serious impact on the team. “It’s got to mirror the way I am,” he said. “It needs to be high energy and we obviously want to keep the ball.”
He made it clear that he wanted his team to light up a stadium every Friday night, home or away.
All three already seemed to have a strong relationship, with Rockett going as far as saying they could call each other at any time and someone would always pick up. When asked how their relationships might evolve throughout the 2026 campaign, Movshovich was quick to joke that “we’re all gonna hate each other.”
Long-term success was the aim for Movshovich. “I don’t think it’s the result instantly,” he stated. “I’d love it, but that’s not gonna be the nature.”
Meade echoed that sentiment, saying that success can come in different ways. While results would be a benefit, he said the focus will also be on the connection with the community and the academy.
“We’ve a striker, Ethan O’Donovan, who I’ve had the pleasure of working with over the last 18 months.” Meade revealed that the 15-year-old had been training with the first team after a successful campaign, having been the top goalscorer in his age group.
Meade was delighted with the Government’s record-breaking funding for League of Ireland academies, acknowledging how vital it will be not only for Cobh Ramblers but for Irish football as a whole.
Both the women’s game within the club and the facilities were also mentioned as parts of the improvements he wanted to make.
The most important thing for both Conor and Ilya were the fans, with an emphasis on having high attendances both home and away. “That’s something that will ignite the squad and that’s gonna be shown on the pitch,” suggested Movshovich.
Unsurprisingly, Rockett had one main target. “It’s about winning.” Ilya quickly added, “I’m going for promotion,” followed by, “No pressure, Fran.”
Ilya, Conor, and Fran are all determined to bring success to Cobh Ramblers both on and off the pitch, in the short term and the long term.