Cork City FC

Same old sh*t of having a hatful of chances but not being able to score enough. Three cleared off the line, two hit the post, about 8 corners in the first half alone. The ref was woeful. Bermingham, on a yellow, stuck out his hand to stop an attack and somehow stayed on the pitch. From the resulting free kick, they handled in the box and we got nothing. That was at 1-1. We should've been out of sight by the time they scored, though. Buckley absolutely shocking for two of the goals. Gave the ball straight back for their first, lost the ball then fouled (I think) to concede the penalty for the third. Should've been taken off instead of Holohan. Bolger very poor, as well.

So frustrating that the league season is just going to fizzle out like last year. Whilst the title was probably gone anyway, we could've still made Dundalk work for it. Instead they'll be able to rotate their entire team for the 3 league games in 6 days, knowing they can lose two of them, and be fresh as daisies ahead of Russia away and the cup final.

That's a magnificent achievement by the lads. Huge learning curve for them in the future. This squad has 3 or 4 capable of breaking through (Ogbene already has, tbh). For them to have this European experience will benefit the senior side no end in future runs.

The dates for Roma are 2nd of November away and 23rd at home. Pity we're not at home first. Think we could've pushed 3,000+ on the attendance. Would expect Roma to be well up from the first leg, but I suppose we'll still probably get 2,500 out just because of the name. If our lads came away with a win from the first leg, we'd have a massive crowd altogether at home!

Just to point out tonight's attendance of 1,287 was bigger than both of Monday night's senior league fixtures combined. Some going by an U19 side to draw that kind of crowd.