O’Donovan may start for City in UEFA tie

Cork City manager Damien Richardson hinted today that Roy O’Donovan, currently serving a two-match domestic ban, could play tomorrow evening against FK Ekranas in Turner’s Cross.

The Eircom League Premier Division leaders take a 2-0 lead into tomorrow’s UEFA Cup second leg, with the second qualifying round in sight after a dramatic win in the away leg.

“I can’t discount him even though he didn’t play against Rovers and can’t play either against St Pat’s on Sunday, but he scored a goal for us in the away leg and his pace caused them problems too,” Richardson told the Evening Echo.

City have no injury worries bar goalkeeper Mick Devine, whose place is to be filled by Mark McNulty.

Neale Fenn is also an option up front and he could come back into the starting eleven.

Richardson believes glory against Lithuanian league leaders FK Ekranas will give his players a great chance of meeting a European heavyweight this season,

Richardson understands the club need the money generated from progressing in the tournament, but he places greater emphasis on the chance his players have of proving their class.

“The financial rewards are a bonus but when you are in a tie like this it is about the players having a chance of achieving something special,” he said.

“We chartered a plane for the first leg, and with the other costs we should break even if we get through, and maybe the draw for the next round would be kinder on us for travelling, along with the prize money from UEFA.

“But the real achievement is if the team win, the most important thing that will come from a win – rather than money – is the confidence it will give the team, supporters and the town. We want to be a substantial team.

“We’re realistic and know we won’t win the trophy, but we want as much glory as possible.

“There are big teams in the next round and very big boys in the following round.”

The Cork boss understands his players will be nervous but has tried to maintain a normal routine for his squad.

Richardson added: “There are always nerves of expectation for every match - whether you are two goals ahead, defending a lead or chasing a match.

“It’s how you cope with the nerves which is the difference and whether you can perform while keeping in control of your nerves.

“Ekranas are a very good side, they are about 15 points ahead of Kaunas and they played well against Liverpool (in the Champions League).

“I’ve tried to do everything normal in training, we always train a day before the game at match-time.”

Meanwhile, If Cork City, as expected, qualify for the next round of the UEFA Cup qualifying series, they will more than more than likely to come up against Scandinavian opposition next month in the second qualifying round.

The draw for the next phase will be made at UEFA headquarters in Nyon in Switzerland on Friday afternoon (2pm) and some of the clubs lying in wait in the draw come from Sweden, Denmark and Norway as well as Scotland’s Dundee United.

Cork could be pitted against SK Brann, Tromso or Viking from Norway, FC Copenhagen or CF Midtjylland from Denmark or Swedish clubs like Halmstads or Djurgarden.