What a finish!

Cork City will get the post-Sean Maguire era up and running when they resume their seemingly unstoppable charge to the league title at home to Galway United tonight (7.45pm).

Cork City might be out of Europe for another 12 months and looking forward to Champions League football next summer but despite the hefty costs of away trips to Estonia and Cyprus, the club coffers are ticking over nicely.

AEK Larnaca 1 - 0 Cork City (AEK win 2-0 on agg.): Cork City boss John Caulfield had to accept a heartbreaking defeat and Europa League exit in the heat and humidity of Larnaca in Cyprus last night.

THE heat and humidity of Larnaca and the AEK Arena proved to be too much for FAI Cup holders Cork City as they bowed out of the Europa League here in Cyprus tonight.

Cork City manager John Caulfield is convinced that Irish clubs will continue to make inroads in Europe in the coming years.

Kevin O’Connor and Stephen Dooley are both doubts for Cork City’s Europa League rescue mission against AEK Larnaca in Cyprus tomorrow night.

Sean Maguire equalled Pat Morley’s record of 20 Premier Division goals in a season for Cork as he signed off domestic action in style before his move to Preston.

Cork City’s gruelling schedule sees them back in league action tomorrow against crisis club Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds (4pm) as they look to increase their lead at the top to 15 points once again.

The third round draw is in…

Cork City’s Euro dream is very much in the balance after they suffered a first defeat in 26 matches losing out to AEK Larnaca in a tense and highly competitive Europa League qualifier at Turner’s Cross last night, writes Noel Spillane.

Preston North End put on a show of support for Sean Maguire and Kevin O’Connor at Turner’s Cross last night, but new manager Alex Neil insists there is no special need to reassure the departing Cork City stars they are still wanted by his new regime.

A second-half goal from Joan Truyois saw AEK Larnaca take control of this Uefa Europa League second qualifying round tie as they defeated a gallant Cork City in front of a packed Turner’s Cross last night.

Cork City boss John Caulfield has hailed Sean Maguire as the club’s greatest ever striker ahead of his last home game for the club tonight.

Since he arrived at Cork City, Kevin O’Connor has strived to live up to these goals.

Cork City can now turn their sights towards Thursday’s big Europa League clash with AEK Larnaca after yesterday’s deserved 1-0 victory over 10-man St Patrick’s Athletic saw them extend their lead at the top of the SSE Airtricity League to 12 points with two games in hand on second-placed Dundalk.

After the highs of Thursday night’s European thriller, Seánie Maguire is determined to ensure there’s no Sunday comedown for Cork City at Turner’s Cross tomorrow afternoon.

Cork City’s European tour takes a turn with a difference over the next two weeks as the club heads for Cyprus’s very own little enclave of Spain.

Cork City 4 Levadia Tallinn 2 (Cork City win 6-2 on aggregate): Seán Maguire gave Cork City another taste of what they’ll be missing from next month with a brilliant hat-trick to inspire his team to victory on a memorable Europa League night at Turner’s Cross last night.

John Caulfield is a passionate figure on the sidelines at Turner’s Cross but he’ll be hoping Cork City can afford him an opportunity to relax tonight, if only to give his heart a break.

LEVADIA TALLINN 0 - 2 CORK CITY: John Caulfield hailed his side’s clinical away performance as their two-goal Europa League first qualifying round first leg win in Estonia last night leaves the second leg close to a formality.

KENWYNE JONES last night expressed his pride after his late header secured Stoke the point they needed against Dynamo Kiev to secure a place in the Europa League knockout stages.

Two goals in the final two minutes saw Udinese overcome Atletico Madrid 2-0 and maintain their unbeaten record in Europa League Group I this evening.

Shamrock Rovers' chairman Jonathan Roche has said the Tottenham Europa League fixtures were "a dream come true" for the fans.