Cork City U19s will face their counterparts from AS Roma in the second round of the Uefa Youth League after beating one of Finland’s biggest clubs, HJK, 1-0 at Turner’s Cross on Wednesday evening.
Having secured a vital 0-0 draw away from home last month, the Leesiders started brightly in front of a crowd of 1,287 on home territory with Aaron Drinan and Daire O’Riordan both causing problems early on.
O’Riordan, in particular, pounced on a spilled ball from HJK goalkeeper Robin Kallman to fire just wide as the game approached half time and then saw the netstopper tip a second effort from the attacker on to the crossbar just before the half-time whistle blew.
A Conor McCarthy header and shot from Kevin Taylor also threatened in the opening half but, for all of City’s endeavour, the teams went in level at the break.
The second half was not even a full minute old when the deadlock was broken though. The visitors’ captain, Omar Jama, handled the ball in the box under pressure from O’Riordan and Drinan placed the ball before firing the spot kick low and to the back of the HJK net.
City fought hard to add a second but, in the face of a significant onslaught from their opponents in the final 20 minutes, had to watch as half chance after half chance went astray for the Finns. Goalkeeper David Coffey saved efforts from Antti Ulmanen and Henrik Olander to ensure the lead was maintained and only the loss of Patrick Crowley through injury – following a determined challenge in midfield – put any dampener on the night.
Details of the home and away fixtures against AS Roma U19s will be confirmed in due course.
