The new era at Cobh Ramblers began with a defeat to Waterford in a preseason friendly on Saturday. New owners, new manager, new players and a new look Rams attempted to pick up the legacy of the 2025 team which ran Dundalk so close in finishing second in last year’s First Division before being knocked out by Treaty United in a disappointing playoff tie.
Having moved from a fan based ownership before the start of the 2025 season Cobh are now onto their second investment groups in under a year. Gone are FC32, the group collapsing early into the League of Ireland season following financial issues with other clubs in their multi team model. Only amazing work by chairman Billy O’Leary and his dedicated committee members managed to keep the club in business with large financial commitments left behind by the previous owners. Miami based Digital Athlete Ventures was secured as a new investor late in the 2025 season and now approach their first full season in charge under owner Ilya Moshovich. Change has been quickly implemented.
Conor Meade has joined as Director of Football, a new role at the club with primary responsibility for all football activity from the first team right through to the academy. Meade has extensive league of Ireland experience as a player with Cobh Ramblers and Waterford, whose stated aim is to ‘build a sustainable, community-based football model that develops local talent and strengthens the club’s competitive structure.’
Waterford native Fran Rockett takes the helm as manager. As well as playing for Cobh Ramblers for two spells from 2004 to 2006 he also has had stints as Waterford caretaker manager and assistant manager at Ramblers, firstly to Darren Murphy and secondly to Shane Kegan in 2023, during a highly successful spell which saw Ramblers finish third in the league behind Galway and Waterford before taking Waterford to extra time in a memorable first division playoff final at Turner’s Cross. Zoran Teodorovic steps ups from leading the Ramblers U20s and is joined by John Frost, who recently managed Dungarvan United, as first team coaches. Frost previously captained Waterford, as well as playing for St. Patrick’s Athletic, Sporting Fingal and Limerick. Noel Cantwell is retained as goalkeeping coach.
There have been the usual retentions, departures and arrivals on the playing side as well. Most notably 26 goal man, Barry Coffey, who was named the First Division Player of the Season, will not be returning in 2026. No destination for Coffey has been announced though there is rumoured interest not only from Premier Division clubs here in Ireland but also from the MLS in the US and the NSL in Australia.
In goal Corey Chambers has been recruited from Treaty United, where he has played for the last three season, replacing the departing Timo Martin. The Luxemburg international impressed in the 2025 season with Cobh Ramblers but will not be returning. Chambers previously spent a stint with Ramblers in 2021. Former Cork City captain Cian Coleman has been retained along with former Shels man Shane ‘Big Grif’ Griffin at centre half, bolstered with the retention of Cobh native and fan favourite Brendean Frahill. The experienced Gary Buckley has also been signed having extensive League of Ireland Premier Division experience with Cork City, Sligo Rovers and Galway United. The Cork man can play at centre half and defensive midfielder. The exciting Luca Le Bervet has signed his first 2 year professional deal. The Cobh local made a real impression in the 2025 season before injury cut his campaign short. Jonas Hakkinen has moved on to join the Kerry FC revolution under Colin Healy having made 34 appearances for Cobh scoring one goal over the 2025 season.
In midfield Niall O’Keeffe has moved on to Cork City. Cover remains however in highly experienced Jason Abbott. The Cobh man, with well over a hundred League of Ireland apperances, has been retained to anchor the centre of the park. He is joined by the retention of July 2025 signing Rhy Gourdie. The versatile Glasgow man impressed last season in a classic box to box midfielder role and quickly became a fan favourite. Another July 2025 signing and fan favourite Dylan McGlade has also been retained. The experienced winger who has played for Shelbourne, St. Pat’s, Longford Town, Bray Wanders and Cork City has impressed during his short time at St. Coleman’s Park with several goal of the month contenders last season. The talented Shane ‘Little Grif’ Griffin has also been retained. Last year’s key signing from Bray Wanderers also impressed before injury curtailed his appearances in the second half of the season.
Upfront Cian Murphy has also moved on to Kerry FC after a season where his extraordinary work rate resulted in ten goals and numerous assists. Wilson Waweru has returned to Cobh from Sligo Rovers having spent a memorable season on loan from Galway United in 2023. A season that resulted in him scoring 13 goals. Rumours persist that Jack Doherty, who partnered Waweru in attack that season, is in talks to return but nothing official has been confirmed. Doherty signed for Ramblers for the 2025 season but missed the whole campaign after a ruptured achilles injury in preseason.
The game itself was a typical preseason affair with both squads still in development. Waterford opened the scoring in the 17th minute through Conan Noonan. Corey Chambers introduced himself to the Ramblers fans by saving a penalty in the 27th minute. Cobh dominated the last twenty minutes of the first half with Luca Le Brevet playing in midfield replaced in his usual left back slot by academy prospect Lucas Curtin. The game changed considerable in the second half with both sides introducing a large number of trialist with Waterford scoring in the 49th minute through Thomas Lonergan. Cobh Ramblers responded through Rhys Kelly-Noonan in the 52nd minute before Waterford rounded out the scoring through Orion Cala in the 67th minute. With a month to go to the new season Ramblers will endeavour to round out the squad with further signings and retentions.
Since the match against Waterford central midfilder Oran Crowe has signed having played for Kerry FC for the last two seasons. He previouly played for local rivals Cork City. Despite being only 22 he has over 50 League of Ireland appearances.
Cobh Ramblers next match is away to Leeside United in the Munster Senior Cup on Saturday 17th January at 17:00.
Written by Kenneth Hickey
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