Cork City 1; NEC Nijmegen 0: Cork City created history and set themselves up for a 100,000 bonanza by qualifying for the quarter-final of the Intertoto Cup, at Turner's Cross yesterday, where an estimated 8,000 capacity attendance thrilled to their heroics as they beat the Dutch first division side NEC Nijmegen.
Kevin Doyle was the goal-scoring hero on a day when Cork played with calm assurance to win on merit a contest that was in doubt to the final whistle. Nijmegen were always second best but an equalising goal for them would have seen them advance on the "away-goals" rule. In consequence there was a horrible moment of dread for the home supporters when Nijmegen, for virtually the only time in the match, set up a scoring chance with less than three minutes left to play.
Nijmegen substitute Alexander Prent took advantage of slackness in the Cork defence to race clear after a ball over the top. Goalkeeper Michael Devine elected to leave his goal-line and dived bravely at the feet of Prent to hold onto his shot.
In truth, it would have been a huge injustice had Cork not won the game and gone through on a 1-0 aggregate. They dominated the tie and their defence bossed the Nijmegen forward line just as they had done in the first leg in Holland.
Indeed the visitors' difficulties were reflected in the fact three of their players were booked in the first half when their efforts to upset the composure of a confident Cork failed. And, once they fell behind, Nijmegen never showed the conviction that was needed to disturb Cork's control.
Cork's victorious manager Pat Dolan was generous in praise of his players and of the support they received from the fans.
"This was a great team effort from everybody involved. The crowd showed great passion and encouragement in their support and the players drew on that to set up this wonderful victory.
"I cannot praise the players enough for their efforts. To a man they were hard-working and disciplined and this result reflected great credit on them and on the National League in general. We have won a new respect for Irish club football this season," he said.
NEC Nijmegen's distinguished manager, the former Dutch star Johan Neeskens, was equally complimentary towards Cork.
"Cork were always more aggressive in their play," he said. "We knew after their win over Malmo that there was quality in their team and they showed that again today. We defended poorly on goal and I think fitness told as well. We have not done a great deal since we reported for pre-season training on June 22nd and I think it showed in the end. But every credit to Cork and I wish them well."
The decisive moment in the game came two minutes into the second half. A quickly-taken throw from the outstanding full-back Danny Murphy was hooked across the goal by George O'Callaghan to the far post. There Kevin Doyle jumped above full back Jose Valencia and his looping header flew over goalkeeper Dennis Gentenaar and dropped inside the far upright.
Cork should have stretched their lead within another couple of minutes as Nijmegen struggled to come to terms with their situation. John O'Flynn, back after missing the first leg through injury, was given a clear run on goal but he seemed caught in two minds and hesitatingly shot at the goalkeeper when a goal seemed certain.
Cork will meet French team FC Nantes in the quarter-final. The first leg will be Sunday next in France with the return at Turner's Cross the following Sunday.
Cork have earned substantial prize money from UEFA for becoming the first Irish team to reach the quarter-finals of a European competition and should also be looking at a generous return for television coverage of the quarter-final.
CORK CITY: Devine; Lordan, Bennett, D. Murray, D. Murphy; Doyle, O'Brien, O'Callaghan, Kearney; O'Flynn, Fenn (K Murray, 89 mins).
NEC NIJMEGEN: Gentenaar; Wielaert, Ebbinge, Pothuizen (Wisgerhof, 64 mins), Denneboom; Boutahar, Heije (Simr, 80 mins), Tininho, Van Der Doelen; Valencia (Prent, 64 mins), Demouge.
Referee: S Berezka (Ukraine).
