Two away goals in the bag for Cork City

Cork City have one foot firmly in round two of the UEFA Cup after a sensational 2-0 win over FK Ekranas in Lithuania this evening.

Played in stifling heat, the Leesiders controlled the pace for much of the game and netted through Roy O’Donovan (25) and George O’Callaghan (90).

And they did it with 41-year-old goalkeeping coach Phil Harrington between the sticks for 76 minutes. He replaced Michael Devine after the regular number one went off with a suspected dislocated right shoulder.

Cork took the lead when O’Donovan smashed home a brilliant goal from the right-hand side of the area, sending the ball powerfully into the far corner.

Before that Ekranas rocked the woodwork and they did so again in the second half. But City were still dominant and Harrington had little to do.

Several chances followed for the Leesiders and they all but made sure of their progress in the final minute when O’Callaghan fired home – through the hands of Ekranas keeper Arvydas Skrupskis and in off the underside of the bar.

The travelling supporters made plenty of noise in the packed little stadium and they’ll be travelling home tonight in buoyant mood ahead of the return leg in a fortnight’s time.