Soccer

Cork’s European adventure ends at the hands of Genk

John Caulfield’s side saw their chances disappear after conceding two away goals

Cork City’s Mark O’Sullivan after the final whistle of their Europa League third qualifying round tie with Genk. Photo: Cathal Noonan/Inpho
Thu Aug 04 2016 - 21:54

Cork City 1 KRC Genk 2 (Genk win 3-1 on aggregate)

The concession of two first-half goals meant that it was always going to be an uphill battle for Cork City in the third qualifying round of the Europa League at Turner’s Cross last night.

Trailing 1-0 after a good performance in Belgium last week, John Caulfield’s side began brightly, shouted on by the stadium’s first full house since the 2008 Setanta Sports Cup final, but their task was made more difficult when Genk captain Thomas Buffel scored in the 13th minute and defender Sebastien Dewaest doubled the lead shortly before half-time.

Switching to a more attacking formation for the second half, there was a chance that John Caulfield’s side would finish on the end of a heavy defeat, but a good overall display, capped by an Alan Bennett goal just after the hour mark, meant that they exited the competition with their dignity intact.

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Going with an unchanged side form the first game as Steven Beattie and Greg Bolger were passed fit, City took the game to Genk but couldn’t fashion any early clear-cut chances and the visitors showed signs of danger on the break. With Leon Bailey having had an early half-chance, he turned provider to set up Buffel for a good finish to deflate the atmosphere.

Beattie did have a header saved by Marco Bizot after that while Kenny Browne shot over, but on 41 minutes Dewaest had a free header from Alejandro Pozuelo’s corner and he sent the ball into the net.

Danny Morrissey and Mark O’Sullivan came on as City went 4-4-2 for the second half and O’Sullivan was unlucky twice before Bennett headed home Kevin O’Connor’s free kick, to give a glimmer of hope.

However, as City attacked, there were holes at the back and Genk sub Leadro Trossard came close to a third after a mazy run, as did Pozuelo. O’Sullivan might have netted in the closing stages, though Genk had a chance of a third in injury time when Neeskens Kebano was fouled by Beattie for a penalty. The striker too it himself but his shot came back off the crossbar and it was the final action.

CORK CITY: McNulty; McSweeney (D Morrissey half-time), Bennett, Browne, O’Connor; G Morrissey (O’Sullivan half-time), Bolger; Beattie, Buckley, Dooley; Maguire (Sheppard 56).

KRC GENK: Bizot; Walsh, Dewaest, Wouters, Uronen; Buffel (Tshimanga 83), Ndidi, Pozuelo, Bailey (Trossard 65); Samata (Heynen 77), Kebano.

Referee: K Tohver (Estonia).

Attendance: 6,900.