Strength of character the key, claims Richardson

CORK CITY’S advancement into the next round of this season’s UEFA Champions League was down to the team’s “experience and mental strength”, according to manager Damien Richardson.

Speaking after his team’s 1-1 draw with Cypriot representatives Apollon Limassol, which booked City’s place in to the second qualifying round, he said: “we showed real strength of character and a mental toughness.

“Though we were struggling, we wouldn’t give in.”

He praised the five-star performance of goalkeeper Mick Devine, whose string of acrobatic saves kept the tie alive as a contest before City eventually earned the crucial goal.

“Michael proved time and again he’s the best goalkeeper in the country. He was excellent. He’s laid-back, and implacable,” he said, “but he’s a great goalkeeper, thankfully.”

A melee involving both sets of players and some staff erupted after the final whistle, but the exhausted looking City manager shrugged the scene off as “nothing”.

“The referee took no action because nothing happened as such.

“We’re in a volatile part of the world and I told our lads not to incite any trouble and I’m delighted with the way they behaved themselves,” he said.

“Unfortunately, a few of their players couldn’t take defeat graciously, I’m afraid.”

With a glamour tie against Red Star Belgrade next week now assured, Richardson hailed this progression as the greatest victory from a Cork City team.

“It would be the best performance from a Cork City team I think,” he said.

“In the past it might have been glorious defeats and in recent years things have started to happen. Last year was a magnificent year but this is a different competition again.

“To play two games, win one and draw the other is a great achievement and won’t do the league any harm.”