COBH RAMBLERS new signing Robbie Lehane intends to hit the ground running when the new football season kicks off in early March.
The former Cork City U19 double, double winner who netted over 30 goals in both campaigns will be hoping to hit double figures in his maiden season in the First Division.
“I had a few offers at the end of the season but the lure of regular first team football at Cobh, and once I met with Stephen Henderson, it was an easy decision and my mind was made up. He outlined all his plans and going on into the future and it all sounded really good.
“I am looking forward to the new challenge at Cobh Ramblers and 100% it is the best option for me and it keeps me living here at home in Cork,” said Lehane who had a brief loan spell at Sligo Rovers towards the end of last season.
“The club is on the move and while the history, from a financial stand point, would not be the best, the new committee seem to be in control and they are looking to get the club back on its feet and back to a semi-professional state and, hopefully, in time get the club will get back into the Premier Division.
“Look at Wexford Youths, it shows you that any club with a bit of drive and ambition can come out of the First Division and that’s what we are aiming to do in the next few years.
It would be great to have two top flight clubs in Cork again and we’d have the buzz of the local derbies all over again,” said Lehane who had over a decade at schoolboy and youth level with his beloved Douglas Hall
.
“It’s important we make a good start to the league and, like Wexford, we have a fair few players here who have been at the club for a few years now and that’s a foundation you need. We have strengthened the squad and anything is possible,” added Rob who has been signed specifically to get goals.
“I always put pressure on myself to score goals and it’s been like that since I played schoolboy and youth football with the ‘Hall and that’s what I pride myself on.
It’s a key part of my game and I think it’s the main reason why Stephen (Henderson) wanted to sign me.
The onus is on me to get a few goals and that’s one of the areas where Cobh were lacking a bit last season. All going well, the goals will flow and we can be challenging for the play-off spots,” added Lehane who started playing with Douglas Hall at underage level before progressing onto Cork City’s underage setup, where he won the U19 league and cup double twice. He played for the ‘Hall, where his father Andy was one of the team managers, from under seven up to U17’s grade.
He spent time with UCC in the MSL before rejoining City and in 2014 he became a firm fixture in John Caulfield’s senior squad, making 15 appearances.
