He has only been at the club a matter of weeks but 17 year old Beineon O’Brien Whitmarsh is already one of the most talked about players across the Great Island and beyond. The striker is only going into sixth year at St Colman’s College in Fermoy but has already made his mark at senior level, scoring in the 2-0 win over Wexford in just his second senior game.
He arrived at St Colman’s Park from Cork City but his football journey began back in 2004 with Fermoy FC. After ten years at the North Cork club College Corinthians came calling and he spent two years with the Castletreasure outfit. The step up to League of Ireland level was inevitable and Beineon moved to Cork City’s u17 side in 2016. His spell there was short and he arrived at our u17s in July 2017.
A debut goal against Limerick was followed by two against Wexford u17s and a hatrick at home to Shamrock Rovers. He made his senior debut away to Waterford in the Munster Derby and then opened his senior account away to Wexford.
The teenager won the Cork Schoolboys League U15 Player of the Year and Overall Player of the Year as well as the u15 and u16 double with Corinthians. He played a key role in the Cork squad that won the All Ireland at u13 level and the Munster title at u13’s, u15’s and u17’s.
Beineon knew that there was a step up required when he first began playing at this level but knew he was ready. Limited game time with Cork City saw him move to Cobh and he is loving his time on the coast so far, “The pace in the League of Ireland is a lot quicker than at schoolboys level but I felt after a few weeks of training that I was very much able to go out and play. Unfortunately I wasn’t top choice at City and I was only getting 10-15 minutes here and there. I was getting a lack of game time, especially in my preferred position and I needed to find a club that would show confidence in me. I knew that I would start to perform and it’s going great so far. Hopefully I keep improving with Ramblers and pushing on.”
“I’m loving life here since I’ve joined. The U17 lads have been really welcoming and I’m really enjoying it. I’ve started of well, scoring in my first three games but I need to keep improving. I’m not just going to slack off after the first few games, I’m feeling confident about us getting into the top four and contesting for the play-offs. We are in good form and I’m very excited to see where it goes.”
The 17 year old is aiming high for the future, no surprise given his career so far, “Of course the main aim is to just play regular football at the highest level that I can. If that’s at the U17s now then that’s great but I want to progress to the U19s and the senior team as quick as I possibly can. I’ve been involved a bit with the seniors, scoring against Wexford and that’s brilliant for me. I’d love to one day make it across to England but it’s going great with Cobh right now and I’ll take everything as it comes. If I keep improving and doing the right things then who knows what will happen.”
Beineon O’Brien Whitmarsh. Remember the name.
By Thomas Stafford and Lucas Keating.
