Cobh Ramblers U19 manager Declan Colman has challenged his side to continue their exciting form into the second-half of the season. Ramblers are currently top of the SSE Airtricity League U19 Southern Division after the first-half of the campaign,
Cobh Ramblers U19 manager Declan Colman has challenged his side to continue their exciting form into the second-half of the season.
Ramblers are currently top of the SSE Airtricity League U19 Southern Division after the first-half of the campaign, with UCD and Cork City two points behind in second and third spots.
Ramblers have only suffered one defeat throughout the campaign and recorded an impressive win against current U19 Champions UCD just before the break.
Colman said: "We're very happy. To go into the break top of the table is great but now we've got to look to continue that as you want to be top at the end of the season.
"We started the season really well with a 3-1 win over Shamrock Rovers and we continued that confidence into every game. They've mostly been close games but the players have a great attitude to come out on top.
"It will be a challenge to keep it going throughout the campaign as teams will be a bit more aware of what we can do now but it is a challenge the players are really looking forward to."
Colman moved to Cobh Ramblers from local rivals Cork City three days before the start of the campaign having been Stephen Bermingham's assistant at Cork City U19s.
Having been part of the Cork City U19 staff who reached the UEFA Youth League last season, Colman says it is nice to see his side competing with the best in the league.
He continued: "I took the decision to leave Cork because I thought this was an opportunity I couldn't refuse and I'm really enjoying it so far.
"It's great to be up there challenging the best sides in the division as Cork are obviously the big team in the county but we're pushing them and we're ahead of them at the moment.
"With Cobh in the First Division, we've got a young side and a definite path-way through to the first-team and I think the players can see that every week when they're pushing to get into the first-team."
Cobh face a tough start to the second-half of the campaign as they travel to Shamrock Rovers on Saturday but it's a occasion Colman is looking forward to.
Colman added: "It'll be a tough game but we always really enjoy going up to Tallaght and get to play in the stadium which is great for the young players.
"We beat them in the first game of the season so I'm sure they'll want to get us back for that defeat. They're a good side who like to play so it'll be a great test for us."
Fixtures
SSE Airtricity League U17 Northern Division
24/06 Monaghan-Cavan v Drogheda United, Gortakeegan, 2pm
24/06 Finn Harps v Athlone Town, Finn Park, 2pm
24/06 Sligo Rovers v St. Patrick's Athletic, The Showgrounds, 2pm
24/06 Bohemians v Shelbourne, Oscar Traynor, 3pm
25/06 Longford Town v Derry City, City Calling Stadium, 2pm
SSE Airtricity League U17 Southern Division
24/06 Wexford v Waterford, Ferrycarrig Park, 2pm
25/06 Shamrock Rovers v Galway United, Tallaght Stadium, 2pm
25/06 Bray Wanderers v Kerry, The Academy, 2pm
25/06 Cobh Ramblers v Cabinteely, St. Colman's Park, 2pm
25/06 UCD v Limerick, UCD Bowl, 2pm
SSE Airtricity League U19 Northern Division
24/06 Drogheda United v Monaghan-Cavan, United Park, 12pm
25/06 Shelbourne v Bohemians, AUL, 12pm
25/06 Athlone Town v Finn Harps, Athlone Town Stadium, 2pm
25/06 St. Patrick's Athletic v Sligo Rovers, IT Blanchardstown, 2pm
28/06 Derry City v Longford Town, Wilton Park, 7pm
SSE Airtricity League U19 Southern Division
24/06 Bray Wanderers v UCD, Carlisle Grounds, 2pm
24/06 Shamrock Rovers v Cobh Ramblers, Tallaght Stadium, 2pm
24/06 Cork City v Cabinteely, Bishopstown Stadium, 2pm
25/06 Waterford v Galway United, Regional Sports Centre, 2pm
25/06 Limerick v Wexford FC, University of Limerick, 2pm
