you got beaten up like a stray dog, but at least the group stage of the UCL brings a lot of good old cash that will be crucial as the team grows in continental football
A shame about the champions league but at this stage it's more about the cash and the experience for the players. Great to see Conor lift the title again as well
A nervy end to the league season but they always are when trophies are on the line! unlucky to lose in the cup but I'm sure you have your eyes on bigger prizes. The European experience will not be one you forget any time soon, and the money will have strengthened the club to no end!
The initial European campaign was just to get a feel of the land, now you know where you need to improve, and can plan accordingly because of it. You've done the job required in the league to get another chance, and I'm backing Conor to make a much better go of it the second time around 
Congratulations to Conor on a further title. It was a far from ideal ending to the season. Perhaps the heavy European drubbings and the distraction it brings mentally and physically played a role? Unsurprising to see Cobh get battered. It will soon change I suspect... 
Despite battling more fixtures you managed to still claim the title, with the Champions League money its nothing but up from here!
Last place in the CL was to be expected at this stage of the club's rise. But, the CL money Cobh got may make them able to secure third place next year!
Cobh Ramblers announced their first signing of the season this afternoon with the €85,000 arrival of Shelbourne centre-back Peter Barnes.
The transfer comes as Conor McDonald’s first ever deal to involve a fee for a player, previously relying on free transfers such as Layton Stewart and Glen McAuley among many others.
In due course, the transfer of Peter Barnes means that he is Cobh Ramblers’ record signing since the club’s establishment in 1922.
Barnes made his senior debut aged 16 in the FAI Cup First Round against Maynooth Town for Shelbourne in 2022 before going on to be an extremely important player throughout the 2023 Premier League campaign, starting 35 games out of a possible 36.
Due to his weekly involvement in the Shelbourne team, Barnes has been called up for the Republic of Ireland’s Under-21 team on two occasions.
Barnes’ new manager Conor McDonald said: “I’m elated to have finally got the club in such a position to be able to finance transfers such as this one.
“I believe Peter will be a key part of the team for years to come and that he will slot in perfectly in the centre-back position.
“I have to pay particular tribute to the new owner, Mr Cunningham who has taken over and installed a lot of positive changes around the club such as restructuring of the managerial transfer budget.
“I can sense that there will be a lot more business to conclude this window as we look to venture further in European tournaments and make the Group Stages consistently.”
Tango: Indeed, the sacrifice of getting whipped up was worth the financial reward
tedbro20: A lot of those players from the lower tiers wouldn't have dreamt of playing against the likes of Benfica or even Chelsea, never mind the Champions League so you're right there!
Wolf: A bit of a struggle through September, but we never make it easy for ourselves
Justice: The FAI Cup was an interesting loss given our previous record and our performance in the league but I guess that's the way cup competitions are! Our attention was certainly diverted too.
James: Sadly there are no automatic Europa League spots which is a competition that I think we would thrive in, but we would have to be knocked out of the Champions League in the Play-Off or finish 3rd in the Group Stages for that entry.
Scott: The two consecutive losses were gutting and that was a point where I began to get worried, moreso when we were 2-1 down to Dundalk until the 94th minute! We got the job done nonetheless anyway
Griffo: Absolutely, the CL money is a game-changer for us and probably the Premier League itself though it must be spent wisely as although €15.24m is a lot of money, it will eventually run out.
Zed: I honestly couldn't see us finding a way past any of the teams in our groups and unfortunately that is the downside of being an unseeded team! Hopefully that improves next time around
A big wight5on the you g lads shoulders coming in as the record signing for the club but looks like he could become a decent player for the club and Ireland
“...and if you walk this way we have the kitchen, beautifully redesigned in marble with an island,” said the estate agent.
Conor had been handed a €1,500 per week contract with Cobh Ramblers until December 2026. A new three-year deal that was designed not only to keep McDonald under wraps in County Cork but also to allay any concerns that Cobh fans might’ve had with their new owner.
Conor still lived in the temporary home that Michael O’Donovan allowed him to live in and it served him well but Conor wanted to become a homeowner and he thought that he had found the perfect place for him.
The house was fantastic, he loved everything about it. It was based on Norwood Park and he could see his club’s stadium, St. Colman’s Park, from his idyllic back garden which also provided him a view of the Celtic Sea.
“So how far away are we from St. Colman’s Park, you know: walking distance, in the car, everything?” Conor asked as he browsed the kitchen.
“Well as you can see from this window, your workplace is just a few streets away! In terms of travel, you’ll barely need a car - it’s only one kilometre away so I would say about a ten minute walk or just a two minute drive if you’re really in that much of a rush.” The estate agent replied in his happy salesmanlike demeanour.
Conor looked around the house a little more, noticing a third bedroom that he immediately thought could be refashioned into a new office from home.
“You know what, Andrew?” Conor said, turning around with a smile on his face. “I’ll take the property. What is the price on the market?”
“This property is on for €300,000, it was reduced from the first pricing of €340,000.” He said.
Conor hummed to himself, realising there was an opportunity for negotiation here considering the previous price drop.
“I’ll take it for €280,000,” Conor said confidently, looking the agent directly in the eyes.
“Well, like I said, the agency has already priced this down by €40,000, we’re more looking at you meeting that valuation to be completely honest with you, Mr McDonald.” Andrew said, nervously as though he wanted to accept but his commission swung his mind to a higher fee.
“Andrew,” Conor chuckled, putting his hand on the agent’s shoulder and speaking to him from a foot away. “I do negotiations essentially for a living. I am a football manager, we deal in player fees, signing on fees, contract negotiations - the lot.
“The one thing that I do know - and I know this because I’ve been a victim of it myself - is that once you knock down a price substantially like an 11% knockdown, you’re already losing because nobody is biting, right?
“Now, I can pay a €280,000 house off in eight years, probably even sooner at the rate I’m going at. I think yours and my buddies at the bank would much appreciate a slightly smaller price for a much shorter amount of time rather than the full price in God knows how many years.
“Now, have we got a deal?”
tedbro20: He's handled expectations at Shelbourne magnificently well despite their relegation, he seems incredibly switched-on and a great player for years to come!
Good to see Conor settling down in Irleand and setting some roots in there. He just needs the warmth of a good woman by his side now
About time that Conor moved out! It does seem as though his future is settled and the project here at Cobh will continue until his contract run downs at the bare minimum. Although we all know that football loves to throw in a curve-ball at some point.
A fantastic signing previous to this update. His mentals look very good for his age.
It does seem as though his future is settled and the project here at Cobh will continue until his contract run downs at the bare minimum. Although we all know that football loves to throw in a curve-ball at some point.A fantastic signing previous to this update. His mentals look very good for his age.
“Hi, is this the McAuley residence?” Conor asked as he prepared to deliver bad news. He was calling Glen McAuley, his star striker who had just scored 30 goals for Cobh Ramblers last season.
“Yes it is,” Glen’s girlfriend Iona said. “Can I ask who is calling, please?” she asked in a chirpy voice.
“Hi Iona, it’s Conor McDonald, Glen’s manager at the football club - is he home tonight?” Conor asked her.
“Yes, of course - how are you? Would you like me to go and get him?” Iona said before calling Glen’s name to come to the phone.
Conor felt bad for being so polite with Glen’s girlfriend as he knew that the news that he was about to deliver would turn their lives in a different direction after they had just settled in County Cork.
“Hi boss, it’s Glen, how are you?” Glen asked as he picked up the phone out of breath from rushing.
“Hi Glen, I’m good thank you,” Conor didn’t want to ask the same question to Glen due to what Conor had to say to him. “Listen Glen, I’m calling to basically say that we had received an offer for you from Tranmere Rovers. We have somebody new coming in on a high wage and I’m afraid that we can’t afford to keep you on board due to your wage automatically rising in line with the highest earner.”
There was a couple seconds of silence on the line, so much so that Conor wanted to check if he was still on the phone.
“Oh,” Glen said, pausing once again.
“Glen, I want you to know that I have loved having you here, you are one of the best professionals that I have worked alongside. I used to work at Tranmere before I came to Cobh and they are a great club and it’s a nice area, too.”
“OK boss,” Glen said with a hint of sadness in his voice. “Well I just want you to know that I was really enjoying my time here, you’ve been a great manager and a great person to know in general.”
“Thank you, Glen. It means a lot to hear you say that, believe me.” Conor said, smiling. “Well, I guess I should let you know that some of Tranmere’s officials are coming over tomorrow. I’ve let your agent know and he’ll fill you in with the details.
“Go tear it up over in England, Glen. For me.”
Tango: He's now got a reason to keep succeeding now!
tedbro20: Absolutely, it's about time he secured a long-term future in Ireland with his new home. Maybe perhaps with the involvement of a lady as well haha!
Scott: Too right, living off the club's funding
Conor's loving life in Cobh and Cobh fans feel the same as well so it feels right that he lives just around the block nowadays. About Barnes, I'm delighted we've got him and for a fee that really befits a player of his standard.
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