10 November 2007 - Cobh Rambles To The Top Flight

On 10 November 2007, Cobh Ramblers beat Athlone Town 0-1 to win the League of Ireland First Division title, securing promotion to the top flight.

Founded in 1922, Cobh joined the league in 1985 and had played only three seasons in the Premier Division, with their last spell in the top flight ending in 1995. But they started the 2007 season in excellent form, going on a 27-match unbeaten streak in the league that ran from 24 March to 28 September.

That run lifted them to the top of the table, one point clear of Finn Harps, when they arrived at Athlone Town for their last match of the season. They had beaten Athlone twice already by scores of 3-0 and 2-0, but had not yet played them away.

Athlone proved more resilient in front of their home fans, keeping the game scoreless until the 73rd minute, when a free kick into the box dropped at the foot of Cobh defender Kevin Murray, who poked it into the net for the match winner. It turned out to be the First Division winner, keeping them one point clear of Finn Harps, who won their own match.

Unfortunately for Cobh, their return to the Premier Division lasted only one season and they were relegated back to the First Division in 2008.

10 August 1971 - The Coming Of Keane

On 10 August 1971, former Manchester United and Republic of Ireland captain Roy Keane was born in Cork. A tenacious central midfielder, he was known for his competitive spirit both on and off the pitch. 

He began his career with Cobh Ramblers (1989-90) and Nottingham Forest (1990-93), but spent the majority of his career at Manchester United where he played from 1993 to 2005. United paid a then-record British transfer fee of £3.75 million to sign him from Forest and Keane delivered instantly, scoring a brace in his Old Trafford debut, a 3-0 victory over Sheffield United. That first season, United went on their first league and FA Cup double. 

He would go on to win seven league titles, four FA Cups, and the Champions League with United, but his success on the pitch was often overshadowed by his temper, with Keane receiving a total of 11 red cards during his time with United, often for violent conduct. In a 2001 match against Manchester City, Keane was ejected for brutally tackling Alf-Inge Haaland. He later revealed in his autobiography that the challenge had been an intentional retaliation for a dust-up the two had had in a previous match. The admission resulted in a further 5-match ban and a fine of £150,000. 

Keane left United in 2005 after several public disagreements with his teammates and manager Alex Ferguson. He moved to Celtic, but made only 13 appearances for them before retiring in 2006. 

He turned to management later that year and has helmed Sunderland (2006-08) and Ipswich Town (2009-11). In 2013, he became an assistant with the Republic of Ireland. 

10 November 2007 - Cobh Rambles To The Top Flight

On 10 November 2007, Cobh Ramblers beat Athlone Town 0-1 to win the League of Ireland First Division title, securing promotion to the top flight.

Founded in 1922, Cobh joined the league in 1985 and had played only three seasons in the Premier Division, with their last spell in the top flight ending in 1995. But they started the 2007 season in excellent form, going on a 27-match unbeaten streak in the league that ran from 24 March to 28 September.

That run lifted them to the top of the table, one point clear of Finn Harps, when they arrived at Athlone Town for their last match of the season. They had beaten Athlone twice already by scores of 3-0 and 2-0, but had not yet played them away.

Athlone proved more resilient in front of their home fans, keeping the game scoreless until the 73rd minute, when a free kick into the box dropped at the foot of Cobh defender Kevin Murray, who poked it into the net for the match winner. It turned out to be the First Division winner, keeping them one point clear of Finn Harps, who won their own match.

Unfortunately for Cobh, their return to the Premier Division lasted only one season and they were relegated back to the First Division in 2008.

10 August 1971 - The Coming Of Keane

On 10 August 1971, future Manchester United and Republic of Ireland captain Roy Keane was born in Cork. A tenacious central midfielder, he was known for his competitive spirit both on and off the pitch.

He began his career with Cobh Ramblers (1989-90) and Nottingham Forest (1990-93), but spent the majority of his career at Manchester United where he played from 1993 to 2005. United paid a then-record British transfer fee of £3.75 million to sign him from Forest and Keane delivered instantly, scoring a brace in his Old Trafford debut, a 3-0 victory over Sheffield United. That first season, United went on their first league and FA Cup double.

He would go on to win seven league titles, four FA Cups, and the Champions League with United, but his success on the pitch was often overshadowed by his temper, with Keane receiving a total of 11 red cards during his time with United, often for violent conduct. In a 2001 match against Manchester City, Keane was ejected for brutally tackling Alf-Inge Haaland. He later revealed in his autobiography that the challenge had been an intentional retaliation for a dust-up the two had had in a previous match. The admission resulted in a further 5-match ban and a fine of £150,000.

Keane left United in 2005 after several public disagreements with his teammates and manager Alex Ferguson. He moved to Celtic, but made only 13 appearances for them before retiring in 2006.

He turned to management later that year and has helmed Sunderland (2006-08) and Ipswich Town (2009-11). Although he was sacked from Ipswich in January 2011, he still lives nearby with his wife and five kids.