Colman's students kick on with League of Ireland clubs
Ten Fermoy second level students have signed with League of Ireland clubs and are now playing soccer with these academies and underage squads.
St Colman’s College students Donnchadh Dingivan, Cian O’Callaghan, Ruairc Donovan, Rami Gharib, Olann McCarthy, Shane Hallihan, Ryan O’Leary, John Walshe, Ryan Molumphy and Evan Geary, are the latest locals to be signed by League of Ireland teams.
Ryan Molumphy, from Ballyduff Rovers, who has signed with Waterford FC U14s, began playing soccer at just six years of age and played with Lismore at the time, as Ballyduff had no football club. When asked who had the greatest impact or influence on his career in soccer to date, Ryan said it was his father.
“My Dad, he set up the Ballyduff Football Club and trained my team for four years. He gave up lots of time to train us,” he said.
Shane Hallihan, who signed with Cork City FC, has been playing with Castlebridge FC for the past 7 years and said his most memorable time with the club was playing during the schools' summer camps in Castlebridge.
While Cian O’Callaghan, who has signed with Cobh Ramblers from Fermoy FC, has been playing with his local club since the age of five and credits his coaches with having the greatest impact on his sporting career to date.
“My coaches, as they gave me chances and always helped me,” he said.
SOLID FOUNDATIONS
According to a St Colman’s College spokesperson, there is a growing culture of soccer in the school, with teams ranging from U14 up to U19.
“We have teachers who volunteer their time training students nearly every day of the week. The students commit to training after school, through rain, hail or shine,” the spokesperson said.
Teachers involvbed include Mr Dan Heneghan (U14/15/16), Mr Eric Dolan (U14/15), Mr Frank O'Driscoll ( U17/ 19), Mr Tom Allen (U14/15/16) and Mr Thomas O'Dwyer (U17/19).
Most recently, the school secured the 1st Year Munster A Cup in 2019 and have built on this in recent years, making it to the semi-final of the Munster Cup in the last two seasons at U14 and U15 level. The U16s and U19s also made it to the quarter-finals in their respective competitions.
“We have great support from parents who travel across the county and province to Crosshaven, Carrigaline, Mallow, Cahir, etc. to watch the games. We have great support from local club, Fermoy FC, where we play our home games. Without the support of management, we would not be able to attend the matches nor have the equipment to train.
“We are very thankful to our past sponsors - Kepak, Synergy Credit Union and Fermoy Youth Centre for sponsorship of jerseys in recent years. These solid foundations allow us to grow and progress,” a spokesperson for the school said.
OPENING DOORS
A number of Colman's students have passed through Kilworth Celtic on their footballing journey. Kilworth's Olann McCarthy was with the club for 4 years, as well as playing for Midleton for 18 months. Olann, who has played in the WW/EC Schoolboys League, thanks his parents for their commitment to brining him to training and is now with Cobh Ramblers for over a year and he says the "making my debut for the seniors in 3rd year" is his most memorable moment in the sport to date.
While student Evan Geary, who is now signed to Waterford FC, was with Kilworth for 18 months, having initially joined Lismore FC at the age of 6, playing with them for 7 years. Describing winning the league with all his friends as a highlight in his soccer journey, a stand out moment with the school is reaching the Cork semi-final, where they lost on penalties. His parents again play a large part in his sporting career, continuing to bring him to training.
Pointing to a recent Leaving Certificate student at the school, Joe O’Brien-Whitmarsh, St Colman’s College extend their congratulations as he recently signed for Southampton in the English Championship.
“We would also like to send out congratulations to our current students who have signed with League of Ireland clubs, it is a testament to the hard work and dedication they put into their training,” the spokesperson concluded.