In the latest programme from Documentary On Newstalk, Producer John Verling tells the story of the epic 1983 FAI Cup run of amateur Cobh Ramblers, in We Can We Must and We Will…
This is the tale of the underdog. Of how amateur Cobh Ramblers took on and defeated the professional sides of the League of Ireland. It is also how that group of men got there by hard work and how they were guided by manager Liam McMahon. They men worked by day as welders, a school teacher, an accountant, a milkman, a man from the navy, as dockers but yet came together as a formidable football force.
In the fourth round they beat Dundalk, the reigning league champions under the management of legendary Jim McLoughlin. This was a major shock at the time and led to Sunday World journalist Peter O’Neill having to literally eat his words.
At the quarter final stage they defeated high-flying Finn Harps to make it to the semi-final. The first amateur side to do so. They then became the talk of the country and received endless press coverage. In Cobh, a town going into a deep recession the heroics of the local team lifted the spirits.
In the semi-final they played Sligo Rovers, a team of professionals made-up of a lot of former English league players. It became a four match saga the likes of which have never been repeated in Irish football. This two week run of games really captured the attention of the country and was extensively covered by the media, most of which has been lost.
The story is told by the manager Liam McMahon, the guiding light of the squad whose philosophy was way ahead of its time. His pride in the group of players is still very strong today. Eddie O’Halloran then just twenty-two and becoming a top defender, tells the story from the view of a local player. Michael Geasley, chairman of the supporters clubs brings the tale from the view of the fan. One of the older members of the squad Fergus McDaid explains the saga from an experienced point of view. RTE commentator Ger Canning puts the run and the matches in perspective. The coach, John ‘Sullie’ O’Sullivan, father of Sonia, was the link between McMahon and the players and talks of the attitude of the men involved.
As archive material is scarce what is available from RTE Archives gives context to the story. Narration is by actor and playwright Pat Kinnevane. Interviews and research were done by John Verling who spent time with the players and found their memories still very strong, even after thirty years.
‘We Can We Must and We Will’ will be broadcast on Newstalk 106-108fm this weekend, Saturday 23rd August at 7am, and Repeated at the later time of 6pm on Sunday 24th August.
‘We Can We Must and We Will’ can also be listened to online at: www.newstalk.ie
Podcast available at: www.newstalk.ie/documentaryonnewstalk after the broadcast.
We Can We Must and We Will was presented by Pat Kinnevane and produced by John Verling. Additional production and advice by John Herlihy.
We Can We Must and We Will was written and researched by John Verling. Presented by Pat Kinnevane with interviews by John Verling. Edited by John Verling and John Herlihy.
The project was supported by a grant from the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland as part of the Sound and Vision scheme. Archive material courtesy of RTE Radio Archives.
Music: “The Holy Ground” The Dubliners.
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