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'European games were best nights of my career': US-based Liam Kearney on Cork City's task

The winger will be cheering his former club on from his new home in North Carolina.

“WE’RE SEEING A different breed of Irish professional”, said Pat Dolan in the aftermath of Cork City’s Uefa Cup qualifier triumph over Swedish outfit Djurgardens in August 2005.

The team had just delivered a determined and disciplined performance at Turner’s Cross to push through the tie on aggregate.

The year before, City easily brushed aside heavyweights Malmo and forced their way past Dutch side Nijmegen.

It seemed that the corner was being turned. Irish clubs were going toe-to-toe with the big names, the elite. Europe was always the barometer of how much progress was being made.

And the success of Irish clubs wasn’t about good fortune. This was about ability and technique.

Of course, we all know what happened next.

However, for all the ills and ailments, for all the pub debates and posturing, there remains an electricity about Irish teams competing on the biggest stage.

Liam Kearney celebrates 25/8/2005 Kearney celebrates after Cork City's win over Djurgardens in August, 2005. INPHO INPHO

And like a decade ago, this feels different. With Dundalk easily dismissing the BATE Borisov challenge in Tallaght on Tuesday, it was a firm statement of intent.

With Stephen Kenny’s side leading the way, Cork City are following fast behind.

Genk are the visitors to Leeside tonight and take a 1-0 lead into their Europa League third-round qualifier.

But there’s an energy to the build-up, an anticipation.

City will be determined to not let the chance slip and build on another momentous week for Irish domestic football.

Liam Kearney Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

Thousands of miles away, Liam Kearney will be coaching in North Carolina. But the City game won’t be far from his thoughts.

“The phone will be in the pocket and Livescore will be refreshed every few seconds”, he says.

If a goal goes in, the kids will be wondering why I’m jumping around like a lunatic”.

The former City winger made the decision to head to North America earlier this year and has been based in the US since February.

The 33 year-old wrapped up his third and final stint with his hometown club in 2015 and has been steadily building towards a coaching career for a while, recently completing his Uefa ‘B’ Licence.

A new country, a new life, new opportunities but Kearney can’t help the pangs in his stomach when the mind turns to thoughts of what Turner’s Cross will be like this evening.

George O'Callaghan celebrates with Liam Kearney PRESSEYE / Darren Kidd/INPHO PRESSEYE / Darren Kidd/INPHO / Darren Kidd/INPHO

“I would love to be sitting in the middle of the Shed with the fans and experiencing that atmosphere”, he says.

“I felt it as a player when we had great European nights. I was very lucky under the likes of Pat Dolan and Damien Richardson. We had some very special nights. With the players we had – Georgie, Flynny, Doyler was there at the time, Dan Murray – we could play football, so we never feared any team we faced. We went into European games thinking ‘We’re going to win tonight’.

ifgrounds / YouTube

This Cork team – and Dundalk too – are the same. They don’t fear any of the teams they’re playing. It’s got to the point now where there’s an expectancy that they’re going to go and win the game.

For me, European games – like Djurgardens at home, when we got through on away goals, they were the best nights of my career. Playing against a team at that level and knowing we were matching them and beating them – that was special.”

He may be a long way from home these days but Kearney still follows the league intensely. And he acknowledges that the recent European success achieved by Dundalk and City is something to cherish.

“You look at Dundalk and what they’ve achieved”, he says.

It may not have sunk in for a lot of people yet but it’s a huge achievement and it just shows you where the league is at the moment. How often have you seen a League of Ireland team comfortably beat a team 3-0 at that stage of a major European competition?

I think Cork have every chance later. John (Caulfield) will have that team raring to go at the Cross and there’s a great opportunity there for them.”

The42 is on Snapchat! Tap the button below on your phone to add!

‘Hopefully the wider public gets involved’ – Dundalk boss wants Champions League play-off at Aviva Stadium

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    Mute Dylan
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    Feb 24th 2015, 6:34 PM

    Chelsea fans are an embarrassment saying there is a campaign against them. seriously it’s amazing how mourinho has brainwashed them.

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    Mute Darren Burke
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    Feb 24th 2015, 6:37 PM

    The ‘campaign’ stuff is nonsense alright. Wouldn’t be taking that seriously though

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    Mute Darren Burke
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    Feb 24th 2015, 6:26 PM

    The FA’s rules here are mind-bogglingly stupid. Not surprised that this has happened, the rules are a joke. This kind of rubbish has really put me off watching football in recent seasons.

    What the hell was Matic supposed to do in the aftermath of the challenge? Barnes almost snapped his leg in two!

    It shouldn’t have been a red, he shouldn’t be banned at all and Barnes should be getting a lengthy ban.

    (And to clarify, I’m a Liverpool fan)

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    Mute I LOVE MY COUNTY
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    Feb 24th 2015, 6:51 PM

    “What the Hell was Matic meant to do”???
    Obviously not react the way he did which got him a three match ban reduced down to two…..
    (Barnes ‘tackle’ is irrelevant in all this)

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    Mute John Smith
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    Feb 24th 2015, 6:55 PM

    Regardless of the cause he shouldn’t have reacted with violence. I dont think the ban should have been reduced at all

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    Mute Dylan
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    Feb 24th 2015, 6:59 PM

    Costa was banned for the stamp on Skrtel because it is as violent conduct and skrtel didn’t push him to the ground after. If matic had had a normal reaction like skrtel then maybe Barnes would have been punished later

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    Mute Andrew Hickey
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    Feb 24th 2015, 7:02 PM

    Was banned for stamp on Can, who did react.

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    Mute Dylan
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    Feb 24th 2015, 7:05 PM

    my mistake but he didn’t react by running up to Costa and shoving him to the ground

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    Mute Thomas O' Donnell
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    Feb 24th 2015, 7:13 PM

    FA called it a “violent response”. As Ger Loughnane said, you’d get worse coming out of Mass on a Sunday!

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    Mute Darren Burke
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    Feb 24th 2015, 7:22 PM

    This is it Thomas, the lack of proportionality in the punishments handed out are a massive part of the problem.

    Even if Barnes had been sent off as well, they’d have both got in or around the same length of ban, give or take a game or two. It makes no sense.

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    Mute Dwayne Dibley
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    Feb 24th 2015, 7:35 PM

    I suggest you all take a look at Sean Dyche 10 min interview in relation to the game , he makes some very interesting points with video analysis.

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    Mute John Barry
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    Feb 24th 2015, 7:42 PM

    Surprised he got his ban reduced.

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    Mute Mark Nolan
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    Feb 24th 2015, 7:12 PM

    Aww, me heart bleeds

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