Interview with Patrick ‘Pop’ Crowley of Ramblers u19s

 

image

With the 2017 League of Ireland U19 season only a matter of weeks away, Cobh Ramblers player Patrick ‘Pop’ Crowley is putting in the final preparations along with the rest of his new teammates following his transfer window move from Cork City. The Blarney native has already achieved quite a lot in the game since he began his football career, “I started playing with Strand United up until under 15 level when I moved to Blarney. I played with them for two seasons and I broke into their senior side at the age of 16. I quickly became a regular with the seniors and went on trial to English Championship side Reading.”

“I was asked back for a second trial eight weeks later but unfortunately I was carrying an injury going back over and it affected my performance. At the age of 17 I was capped for Ireland’s under 18 home based side before signing for Cork City at u19 level. I had one season with them last year before moving to Cobh for the 2017 season.”

Patrick was eager to get involved once he met with u19 manager Ethan McCarthy and has been impressed with what he has seen so far. “My move to Cobh came about when my father and I met with Ethan and assistant coach Lenny Walker and they told me their plans for the side and the club. It didn’t take me long to make up my mind and a week later I signed for Ramblers. I have definitely been impressed with my time here so far. The training is tough and of a very high quality. There is a really good attitude amongst the group of players and that’s important for us going forward.”

 

U19 Boss Ethan McCarthy
U19 Boss Ethan McCarthy

‘Pop’ as he is known, knew some of the squad prior to joining and this has helped him settle into a team that is very much consistent with that of Cobh’s u17 side from 2016. “I knew a few of the lads on the team before signing and had played with them on other teams before. These players were hardworking and are there to win so that helped me make my decision in moving. Settling in was not really a problem.”

The young attacker enjoyed his time involved with Cork City in last year’s UEFA Youth League and has seen the benefits from it, “It really was a great experience and I do feel that I benefited from it. I got to see what was involved at that level and what the competition was like in different countries. I could see what these full-time professionals were like and it was highly beneficial to me.”

Crowley has already played senior football with Blarney at just 16 years of age. The company of a League of Ireland legend on Leeside proved to be a very valuable learning experience, “That was excellent experience for me. I had very skilful and mature players around me including ex-Cork City player Danny Murphy. It was Danny who had brought me into the senior team originally. He gave me a lot of advice and I believe that it really helped me in improving my game.”

As we look ahead to the coming season, it’s clear that Patrick is aiming high for the future, “My aims for the season are the same as any of the other lads in the team, to win games and perform at my best week in week out. Cobh are very good for promoting players from within and hopefully I will get a chance with the first team. I want to play at the highest level that I possibly can. The senior team is something that is in my sights and if I get the chance I will be ready to take it.”

Lastly, it has to be asked how his nickname ‘Pop’ come about. Sadly it’s not a question he knows the answer to! “So many people have asked me this, but I actually do not know how I got the nickname! I was first called it when I was very young and it just stuck with me. Ever since then it’s all people call me. Everyone that knows me, including my teachers, calls me ‘Pop’!”

 

By Thomas Stafford

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.