Who's the Daddy?!

13th Jul 2006

Cork 1 Apollon Limassol 0
Alan Gannon

It was with a sense of trepidation I went to The Cross last night, after all the nonsensical goings on in Corks own version of Saipan. I felt it was a case that if City lost, Rico would be fried by a number of supporters over his part in O Callagate.

Match winner and new dad Billy Woods.

Entering the ground, I realised this wasn't about any one individual or silly arguments between adults who should be smart enough to know better, this was about City's first showing in Europe's premier football competition for the first time in over a decade. The rubbish on the internet and in the media during the week was quickly forgotten as City fans seemed up for making this a night to remember.

The Cypriot fans for their part helped in this regard, being in full voice for over an hour before kick off, showing plenty colour and constant noise.

It was only when the teams came onto the pitch that both sets of supporters really got into full voice. Poignant was the fact that there were a number of "Ricos Green And White Army" chants.

7.25 rolled around, and what a feeling it was to finally hear the Champions League theme played in Turners Cross. It visibly picked up the fans again as the teams entered the arena.

Watching City play in Europe is always as unusual as it is exhilarating. You really don't know what the opposition is capable of and we have to take the word of a few media hacks who have done a bit of scouting to tell us who to worry about.

The Cypriots sample the local cuisine after the match. Keep eating lads and the return leg should be a breeze.

The opening ten minutes really showed City's superior fitness. The Cypriots only started pre season training quite recently. Billy Woods crossed in a few dangerous balls into the box, but the lack of a John O Flynn on the field meant that these opportunities went a begging.

Once City's initial flurry eased off, the Cypriots seemed to grow into the game, which had a very notable effect on the City support. By the half time whistle blew, one sensed that Limassol had a lot more to show us in the second half.

However, that was not to be the case. Apart from a few sporadic jaunts into City's half, Limassol showed nothing. Poor defending, indecisive midfield play, and cheating is about all that could be said about them.

Obviously using Cristiano Ronaldo and Thierry Henry as role models, they threw themselves to the floor on more occasions that I care to remember. The referee saw right through this and booked two Limassol players for their efforts.

Once Billy Woods cracked a great goal through the net on 61 minutes the sense that this lot were worth fearing disappeared. City went forward in droves playing patient, yet incisive football, leaving the opposition chasing shadows.

Roy O Donovan on the right caused endless trouble to Limassol's shaky defence, and really should have scored himself after beating the dense twice, but both times electing to put the ball across in the hopes someone would tap it in , rather than going for glory himself.

There was one scare toward the end when city keeper Mick Devine finger tipped a great free kick onto his far post. Thankfully there was no Cypriot following the ball to tap into an empty net.

When the final whistle blew, fans knew City had deserved the win we were all left rueing the missed chances which could have effectively killed this tie before the second leg.

The team left the pitch with support of the team and manager ringing in their ears from the loud and lively fans throughout the ground. These players have played enough in Europe to know that this tie is far from over, and pretty much all are in the unfamiliar position of playing the second leg away. The heat and atmosphere could yet be a major factor in Nicossia next Wednesday, but this City team have nothing to fear.

Victory permitting next Wednesday in Cyprus City will be playing host to Red Star Belgarde (or whatever it is they call themselves these days) in two weeks time.