Toughest test yet for College boys

Their end-of-year exams may be completed within the last week, but the UCC soccer students’ toughest test will come in the Mardyke as they face reigning champions Dundalk in the EA Sports Cup quarter-final.

“These are students that are stepping out of 18- or 19-year-old football into competing against really good athletes and full-time pros,” explains College manager Noel Healy.

“There’s a big gap but they’ve learned and the occasions haven’t frightened any of them. It’s all about getting as much as you can out of the night and I think the occasion will get another 15 or 20% out of the players.”