City not counting their chickens
If Cork pass the Baltic test, they could face Scandinavian opposition in the next round.
Cork's achievement in the first leg should not be underestimated. FK Ekranas is the seeded club for this UEFA Cup tie and two nights ago Liverpool had to come from a goal behind to beat Kaunas currently 15 points behind Ekranas in the league.
Cork had no such problems in their first leg, with Roy O'Donovan and George O'Callaghan netting in the stifling heat.
So tonight should make for a top-class tie between two sides enjoying superb form.
The benefits of summer soccer in both countries is obvious as Kaunas demonstrated against Liverpool on Tuesday.
"Ekranas are a very attack-minded team," admits Richardson. "They've got some very exciting players. Remember Ekranas are 15 points ahead of Kaunas in their domestic league and that clearly indicates this is a good side we're playing. It makes our result out there all the more impressive."
Leesiders are becoming used to giddy summer evenings in European competitions. Pat Dolan's excellent record last season in the Intertoto Cup has continued under Richardson.
While last season's Inter-toto achievements were laudable, a first league championship since 1993 still eluded City and this season Richardson's side is marrying their exploits on the European stage with steely resolve in the eircom league.
And while confidence is high in the City camp, Richardson won't allow any room for complacency.
"However impressive we were out there in Lithuania, we have to be as impressive, certainly as effective in the second leg in Turner's Cross. We will be taking nothing for granted, but we know if we treat the opposition lightly we'll have problems.
"But if we perform to our expectations then we should stay in the driving seat. But we have to adhere to the standards we set and maintain them."
Richardson faces a selection headache with a fully fit squad (excluding Mick Devine) to choose from. And each player, he admits, craves European football.
"It's a good problem to have. I'll be telling some very, very good players that they're not starting. Roy O'Donovan comes back into consideration his suspension is lifted for European games and he had a scintillating game out in Lithuania.
"I tell the players beforehand what the team is and why they're selected or why they're not selected, so it keeps everything up front and honest."
Ekranas have their national league's top three goalscorers with Mantas Savenss and Vitalijus Kavaliauskas on 11 goals each and striker Povilas Kucys on nine goals so far this season.
However City's credentials are more impressive and a two-nil lead looks enough to prevail.
Meanwhile Longford boss Alan Mathews believes the first goal in their second-leg clash in Carmarthen could decide who progresses.
Mathews' side take a 2-0 advantage into the clash after a convincing win in Ireland but he is taking nothing for granted as he eyes a place in the second qualifying round.
"Preparation has been okay, we have no injury worries after our game on Saturday," Mathews said.
"The game itself will be very different from the first leg, they have had two weeks to prepare and will probably be fitter than they were.
"We've adopted it as a one-off game, but we're positive. We know if we get the first goal it will be difficult for them, if they get it then it's game on. Thankfully we've been quite successful in cup competitions in Ireland and the players have the experience to deal with a first-leg lead.
CORK CITY (probable): McNulty, Horgan, Bennett, Murray, Murphy, O'Donovan, O'Callaghan, Gamble, Kearney; Fenn, O'Flynn.
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