LAST WEEK’S TRIP to Sweden brought back plenty of memories for Alan Bennett.
He had some good times there during his previous spell with Cork City. The kind of experiences and achievements that he probably won’t fully appreciate until the curtain comes down on his career and someone else is marshalling the defence at Turner’s Cross.
City drew 1-1 with Swedish Cup holders BK Hacken at Gothenburg’s Bravida Arena last Thursday evening. A goalless 90 minutes on Leeside this Thursday will be enough to ensure that Hacken join Malmo and Djugardens on the list of Swedish clubs to have been eliminated from European competitions by City against the odds.
Malmo were beaten 1-4 on aggregate (1-3 away, then 0-1 at home) in the 2004 Intertoto Cup. The following year, Djurgardens — who went on to be crowned Swedish champions two months later — drew 1-1 with their Irish opponents at home, before being held to a scoreless draw in the return leg.
Travelling to face Hacken last week wasn’t like Bennett’s previous trips to Sweden, however. His memory recalls that those games back in 2004 and ’05 respectively “were more intimidating as they had much bigger stadiums than Hacken.”
But perhaps the prospect wasn’t quite as daunting due to the vast amounts of experience he has gained in the meantime — experience the 22/23-year-old Bennett had yet to gain back then. Knowing that a good result on Swedish soil was tangible certainly helped too.
“Maybe that’s it actually,” he acknowledges. “The stadiums might not have been as big as I remember because I was so young and impressionable. I suppose your perspective changes over time with experience and all the rest of it.”
Some complacency on the part of their opponents in those previous encounters didn’t do any harm either. Despite seeing a fellow Allsvenskan team beaten by City just 12 months earlier, Swedish international defender and Djurgardens’ captain Markus Johanesson confidently predicted after the first leg that his side would progress by winning in Cork.
“I’m not sure how much homework they did on us,” recalls Bennett, the only player in the current squad who played against both Malmo and Djurgardens, although goalkeeper Mark McNulty was among the substitutes.
“I can’t speak on their behalf and claim to know what they did and didn’t do in their preparations. But it just seemed to me that we shocked them a little bit. It felt that way to us.”
Bennett, who’ll turn 35 before the end of this season, is now in a position to impart that experience to his younger team-mates. He’ll make his 24th European appearance for Cork City on Thursday, breaking the record of 23 — held by Michael Devine and Colin O’Brien — which he equalled in Gothenburg last week.
Between 2007 and ’14, Bennett plied his trade in England, having been signed by Reading for an undisclosed fee believed to be in the region of £250,000. It didn’t work out for him at the Madejski Stadium but, after a short loan spell at Southampton, he established himself as one of the top defenders in League Two, captaining Brentford to the title in the 2008-09 season.
Bennett, who won two Republic of Ireland caps under Steve Staunton, went on to have spells with Wycombe Wanderers, Cheltenham Town and AFC Wimbledon, before returning for a second stint with Cork City last year.
City’s European victories, allied to the club’s Premier Division title triumph of 2005, were what brought Bennett, as well as many of his team-mates at the time, to the attention of clubs in England. His own career may be nearing an end now, but Bennett is keen to help his younger colleagues to engineer similar turning points in their own careers.
“Yeah, and it’s something I say to them: ‘Look, one good season and doing it in big games like this could realistically change the rest of your life’. I don’t want to be melodramatic about it, but it really could. This is the stage to do it on.”
Big European nights have been among the highlights of Bennett’s career — he was also involved in victories against NEC Nijmegen (Netherlands), FK Ekranas (Lithuania) and Apollon Limassol (Cyprus) — and in spite of his seven-year absence from Cork City, he didn’t miss too many of them during his time in England as the club stumbled into financial difficulties not long after his departure.
When they finally returned to the Europa League last season, it was perhaps fitting that Bennett opened the scoring in their 1-1 home draw against KR Reykjavik. However, they limped out of the competition at the first hurdle following a 2-1 extra-time defeat in Iceland, which has merely added to John Caulfield’s side’s determination to make the most of their opportunity this season.
“It’s that old cliché but we’re only at half-time in a tie against a very good side, Hacken,” said Bennett. “The job is by no means done. Far from it. But the performance in the first leg was definitely big for us.
“We went to Reykjavik last year and didn’t do ourselves justice. That was probably in the back of the mind for a few people so we really feel like we want to make amends for that. We did that against Linfield in the last round, we did it away to Hacken and hopefully we can finish off the job.
I don’t think we have anything to fear and we certainly shouldn’t be feeling inferior in any way, shape or form. We went out there and we put in a good performance. It took a real bit of quality from them to break us down — it was a really good free-kick.
“But that’s the level that we’re at here; that’s the step-up in quality, and we were well able to match up to it for large parts of the game, so we should take confidence from that and go out and impose our abilities on the game as well.
“I’m just enjoying it all at the moment. It’s European football, massive exposure across the continent, everyone is looking at results and games. It’s an adventure. You have no idea where you’re going to end up, but that’s what makes it even more exciting. I really missed that side of things.”
He added: “This is where the club should be, in my mind. Cork City should be in a position where they have guys who are 22, 23, who have played a hundred league games and 20-odd times in Europe. This should be standard practice. The club should have those lads as valuable assets that they can then be in a position to sell, I suppose.
“That’s where the club should always be — getting through a couple of rounds in Europe, at a minimum. That’s where I’d like to see the club. That’s the golden goose that someone has got to crack at some point. That would be my vision for the club. It’d be good for the club and good for the players.
“You can be a young lad playing in Europe instead of sitting on a bench in England. You might be over there since you’re 17, getting maybe 10 games a year. There’s a massive difference. It’s just waiting for someone to crack it.”
The end of Bennett’s career is becoming more vivid on the horizon with each passing game. Maybe it’s the knowledge that the end is approaching, but his passion to succeed with his hometown club is more evident now than it has ever been.
He has yet to decide if he’ll continue playing into 2017, but with Genk (Belgium) or Buducnost Podgorica (Montenegro) waiting in the third Europa League qualifying round, Bennett doesn’t sound like a man who’s ready to play in Europe for the final time on Thursday night.
“Big European nights, this should be the norm for Cork City. Teams walking into Turner’s Cross, the fans getting in their heads while they’re taking a corner, the Shed rocking… these are the kind of nights I’ve wanted to be involved in since watching Davey Barry scoring against Bayern Munich when I was a kid,” Bennett said.
“I wanted to be involved in those kind of occasions myself and I’ve been lucky enough to be able to do it. I’m grateful for that. But I want more.”
Fair play munster that’s a great point in the end
A great, but irrelevant point
We’ll see if its irrelevant in Jan.
It means that Munster need a win instead of a bonus point win against Saracens. Plus a bonus point win against Sale. Plus Saracens get nothing from Claremont. Fabulous.
So not irrelevant then?
Most Munsterish ending ever.
Great bonus point, but hard not to look at the early dominance and missed tries and not think of what might have been….
Serious problems with scrums with Munster and Leinster. Couple of injuries and we are both screwed everythime.
Management in both provinces seems to be way off. Ireland had a terrible run of injuries and still managed both performances and results. The IRFU have their work cut out for them.
Scrummaging in Ireland has forever been average to poor.
Couldn’t agree more. It was too early for Foley to be given such a big job. He has to go.
A step too far today, big ask to get a victory next round but that bonus point is the difference between needing a bonus point win or just a win and give Saracens nothing and take 5 off sale last round.
I don’t know why but I just find Keatley seems to show more consistency and nerve in his kicking playing away from home… Sale game, marseille last year and nailed all of them today.. Great bottle shown in the end there. That point will be absolutely crucial!
Couldn’t agree more, I’ve often defended Keatley and when I do I always reference his performances against the big teams away where he really seems to flourish. Just wish he could do it on a consistent basis and he could really develop into a top player.
Had a good game today, made some good line breaks and nerves of steel at the end to nail that kick.
Just not good enough.
It would appear the RFU and French paymasters will get what they want with a French/Anglo duopoly this year barring a massive turnaround. Praying that any of the three provinces make it through. Rugby has taken a step towards soccer monotony with the largest wage bill winning out 99% of the time.
The Sooper Dooper Cup indeed.
Stereotype much?
Footballs Champions League has yet to be retained by any team , Man City the team with the highest wage bill hasn’t come within an asses roar of winning it.
Conway and Jones not good enough. JJ showed what he can do. Better not lose him.
Another defeat. Long trip home for the thousands of disappointed Munster fans. To the brave and faithful nothing is impossible – except beating Clermont either home or away.
We have beaten Clermont at home. TWICE. Get your facts right, Robson.
Robson, Munster lost away to a top class European side a week ago we lost to a average English one.
As a Leinster fan I’d be a little happier in Munster shoes than ours at the minute.
Pity they weren’t playing a piss poor bayonne team in a nothing competition hey knobson. Suppose ur alter ego paul sheehan will be on here supporting you in the minute.
Well done Munster got a point out of nothing injuries really hurt them today!
Well robsonkeane at least the supporters in France are true sporting fans your just a little bitter limerick man who clams to be a Connacth ” fan ” yet I doubt you have ever been to a Connacth game.
You get your rocks off trolling every Munster story with your fellow deluded Waterford buddy.
Eamonn no need drag Connacth into it. Robson is from limerick he’s a Munster man born and breed .
He’s just a bitter little troll
Robson, your clearly not enough into rugby to know the fact that Munster have beaten Clermont at home before,your also clearly a dope who gets his kicks by showing the world just how much of a dope you are…kinda pity you really.
Chris, I think Foley and Matt O Connor seem to have similar game plan that just does not work with any team with a bit of running ability and a reasonably good set piece.
Robson, go play with the traffic.
That’s a good lad
Your from limerick Robson that’s well know on here !
And ya I’ll be at the game I live in Galway. Ya your such a die hard Connacth fan you had time a few weeks ago too troll a Munster thread on here while Munster and Connacth had games on at the same time .
You spoofer robsonkeane!
A Munster fan from Connacht? Go and support your local team pal. I’ll meet you in Oranmore some night in my local.
I live and work in Galway I’m 100% Munster kid.
Next time I’m in keans or the brewery I’ll look out for the lad on his iPhone with the Connacth shirt and limerick accent
Robson is a United fan.
Read the United V Liverpool thread. He is a United fan.
Robson, since when is Manchester United your local team ? Ya tool.
Munster were awful.. Living on past glories for far to long .. No penetration whatsoever.
Just not good enough, flaws were exposed last week and the same mistakes were present again.today. Foley has to go. Great player in his day but he hasn’t got a f***** clue about the management side of the game.
What do you expect when he hired mick o Driscoll as the skills coach !
Is being able to block a jacks considered to be a skill now?????
Why the red thumbs? Either justify the level of performance today with a comment or f**[ off.
Lets put it this way. Do people think Munster have progressed or regressed since last season ?
Ya same mistakes repeat but not a many as last week.
The players out injured is a big problem bar Copland there was no one to bring on.
But Munster are not at the level of the French super teams money talks in the top14 .
Munster and can give them a scare when there at there best but until Irish teams have the funds to bring in top player’s it’s going to be hard going.
it’s way too early to be calling for Foleys head .
Im not calling for his head. I believe he has to be given time. And as you said, trying to compete with these mega rich French clubs is practically impossible. I simply asked the question to gauge opinion.
Keatley was our hero and villain today, his kicking from hand in the first half put us under huge pressure allowing the opposition to run back at us. No more so than before half time that kick should have been in the stand instead quick line out and boom nail in coffin time. Some balls to get the last one though!
I’m not giving up on Munster yet. Great bonus point today against the potential champions. Beat Sarries away and it’s all down to last home game against Sale where we need 4 tries. Read your history books. It’s not impossible.
No need to be ratty, Sean Pol O’Finn. Take your defeat and deal with it. I’m Connacht born and bred. I’ll see you at the match in a few weeks – that’s if you actually go to games like me. Ye will still get out of this group. Saracens are not up to much.
Ah yes, those well known pauper underdogs Real Madrid who have the 2nd highest wage bill in football won it this year Eamon, my bad.
The way pro Football is run is clearly a socialists wet dream that rugby should aspire to.
Come on now lads – you all know more than this. It’s away to Saracens next, so that bonus point was irrelevant. And you all know that you know that. Great game nonetheless.
Its true. Munster have absolutely no history of going to England and winning against the odds…..
Clermont very, very sloppy in both games in terms of letting Munster off the hook. They probably didn’t deserve anything from the game in Thomond, definitely didn’t deserve anything from this game, but Clermont go miles in front, chasing a bonus point win and give Munster a very cheap 10 points.
That losing bonus point could be the difference at the end of the groups. If they didn’t get it they were out, but now still very doable. Beat Saracens away (who are in an awful run of form) and hammer a disinterested Sale at home and I reckon they’re through.
Much better level of rugby in Clermont then the game last night in Lansdowne Rd.
Great result for Connacht yesterday. Please God they can keep the performances coming.