Ramblers Player Keith O’Flynn talks to Thomas Stafford

keithoflynnsmaPerhaps one of the players that this game means the most to is captain Keith O’Flynn.  A Cobh local, he has played for the Rams since he was 6 and what a night it could be for him!

How has preparation been heading into the final?

We have been training as normal every Tuesday and Thursday but we didn’t talk about the final. We just concentrated on the league game ahead. As well as this, a number of us were training with the senior squad so we had to concentrate on that too.

Is this one of the biggest matches of your career so far?

It’s by far the biggest game of my career so far. It’s going to be an amazing experience and hopefully a very good one. I can’t wait for it!

What difference will having home advantage make?

Of course it will make a big difference. We’re used to playing on the surface and this should help us. If we have a good crowd on the night then there’s no reason why we can’t go on to win the game.

People are putting Cobh as favourites going into the game. What do you think of this?

We’re the so-called “favourites” on the day as we are at home but it’s a cup game and anything can happen. There are no real favourites on cup final day.

It’s your last ever game at u19 level along with many of the other players. Does that make it even more special?

Yes me and some of the lads are finishing up with the u19s and we’re gutted that it’s going to be our last game. It’s my second year at it now and I’ve loved every bit of it. It’s an excellent league and it’s run very well. Hopefully if things go right on the night it will be a great ending to a great two years at u19 level.

You’ve been involved with the senior squad a lot recently. Will this experience help you in the match?

Yes of course. The First Division is such a massive step up and when you’re playing games and training with the seniors you definitely improve so it should stand to me on the day.

Cobh have had some cracking games in the cup so far, Waterford and Cork especially. As a player is there something different about playing cup games at this level?

Playing cup games at this level is a really good feeling. There were always a lot of people there especially at the Cork City game. People cheer the team on and it just makes it that bit more special.

In the semi-final against Cork ye went down to 10 men very early on but recovered amazingly well when you scored. What went through your mind in that game?

It was a shocking start for us! We knew we had to give it everything from then on. I was thinking in my head the next goal would be crucial and it happened to be me who put the ball in the back of the net! I think it gave everyone a boost and we grew more and more confident as the game went on. It was one of the best games I’ve ever played.

Finally, as one of the Cobh natives on the team, what would it mean to you to bring a national title to the town?

It would be amazing especially being the captain of your home town club. To bring a national cup back over the bridge to Cobh would be amazing. Getting this far is a great achievement but we want to go all the way. We won’t let that get ahead of us though before the big day and we know what we have to do!

Facebook
WhatsApp
Twitter
LinkedIn
Pinterest
Cobh Ramblers FC

Cobh Ramblers Football Club is an Irish football club. The club, founded in 1922 and elected to the League of Ireland in 1985, hails from Cobh, County Cork and play their home matches at St. Colman's Park. The club's colours are claret and blue.