Cobh Ramblers Football Club First Team and Club Appointments ahead of 2025 Season
Cobh Ramblers Football Club is excited to announce that Michael McDermott has added Richie Holland and Conor Coad as his Assistant Coaches for the upcoming 2025 season. Under the Coaching Direction of Michael, these additions mark a significant step forward in the club’s mission to build a world-class coaching team that aligns with its ambitious goals for growth and success.
The newly appointed Assistant Coaches bring a wealth of experience, innovation, and a shared vision for the club’s future. Their leadership will be instrumental in driving performance and player development as the Ramblers prepare for a competitive and exciting season.
Richie Holland – Assistant Coach and Head of Development
Richie Holland brings extensive coaching experience and a proven track record in player development. Richie began his coaching career with his local club Bandon and later served in several positions at Cork City FC including various positions within the academy, assistant first Team Coach and a brief spell as interim manager. In 2024 Richie was part of the Cork City coaching Team who achieved promotion from the League of Ireland First Division.
At Cobh Ramblers, Richie will take on the critical role of Head of Development while serving as Assistant Coach. He will oversee youth pathways, ensuring that players have the tools and guidance to progress from the academy to first-team football. His experience in both grassroots, League of Ireland and professional settings makes him uniquely qualified to elevate the club’s player development philosophy throughout the club in the coming years aligning Cobh Ramblers academy efforts with FC32’s broader strategic objectives.
He expressed his enthusiasm for joining Cobh Ramblers: “I am really happy to be a part of this exciting project. As soon as I spoke to Paul (Francis, FC32), I bought into the FC32 vision for the club. To have signed a long-term contract shows the desire from both sides to really kick on and improve the great work that has been going on at the club in recent years.”
We will have further a further Interview coming up shortly with Richie where we delve deeper into his new Role and Its importance in the long term future of the Club.
Conor Coad – Assistant Coach and General Manager of Football Operations
Conor Coad, a native of Waterford, Ireland, is an accomplished football coach with a UEFA A License. He began his coaching career in 2016 as a youth coach at Waterford United, where he worked until 2019. In January 2020, he was appointed manager of Villa FC. At Villa FC, Conor expanded his scope by taking on broader operational responsibilities.
In his new role at Cobh Ramblers along with his role as First Team assistant to Michael Conor will also be responsible for the Football Operations in and around the club.
Coad is eager to bring his expertise to Cobh Ramblers FC as they prepare for the 2025 season. “I’m delighted to take on this opportunity with Cobh Ramblers FC and look forward to working relentlessly to help the club grow, compete and succeed.”
Coad, continues, “It’s been clear from meeting people around the club that there is a strong connection with the community, and I look forward to strengthening those ties as we move forward in this exciting new chapter of the club’s history.”
Michael McDermott, Head Coach of Cobh Ramblers FC
Michael McDermott expressed his enthusiasm about the new hires: “The addition of these talented coaches is a testament to our commitment to excellence. Together, we will strive to create a competitive and exciting squad that our fans can rally behind every Friday night. Their expertise and passion for the game will complement our vision and elevate our performance on the pitch.”
The announcement comes as part of the club’s broader strategy, supported by FC32’s acquisition and operational expertise, to invest in high-performance operations and build a player-first platform.
Paul Francis Founder and CEO of FC32
From Paul Francis, Founder and CEO of FC32: “Our focus is on player development and high performance. We are thrilled to support Cobh Ramblers FC in assembling a top-tier coaching team that will lead the club to new heights.”
About FC32: Founded in 2024, FC32, an international group of experienced sports executives, is committed to building a player-first platform through the acquisition of multiple clubs worldwide. By investing in world-class operations at St. Colman’s Park, FC32 is fostering development and high performance.
About Cobh Ramblers FC: Founded in 1922, Cobh Ramblers Football Club has a proud history of player development and fostering local talent. Elected to the League of Ireland in 1985, the club is based in Cobh, County Cork, and continues to inspire players and fans through its commitment to excellence and innovation.
For more information, visit www.cobhramblers.ie.
For media inquiries: pro@cobhramblers.ie
