Best part of the season is upon us

This day next week the draw for the first qualifying round of the Europa League will take place. This is the best part of the season for me personally as a Cork City fan. The whole wondering where we will be going to for a trip is exciting and daunting at the same time. In recent weeks, City have in excellent form. Eight wins on the bounce, with just one loss all season with the best defense in the country, things are looking good on Leeside. A massive victory over pace setters Dundalk before the break has only added to that optimism that this could be third year lucky in our quest to become champions. However domestic assignments have been temporarily shelved as the mid-season break is now in full swing.

Last year was the club's first European campaign since 2008 and the draw pitted us against KR Reykjavík, historically the big fish of Icelandic football. A 1-1 first leg draw at home was followed by the most bittersweet game I have been at with City. A perfect start going 1-0 up early in Reykjavík and KR going down to ten men on the stroke of half-time had us dreaming of getting through and facing Rosenborg in the following round. Unfortunately we quiet simply threw it away. KR leveled the game in the second half and went on to win the game in extra-time. One poxy goal for City and that tie was over.

This year I'm cautiously optimistic. That being said the list of potential teams we can get is a bit scary quality wise. Of the forty-six sides we could get, there is the likes of Maccabi Tel-Aviv, champions league group stage participants last autumn, FC Midtjylland, had a decent run in Europe last season, HJK Helsinki, Finnish powerhouse with at least on paper a very good team and Omonia Nicosia, who are now managed by John Carver, self proclaimed best manager in the Premier league last season with Newcastle. Other sides that might be too strong for us would be Dinamo Minsk, Qəbələ and Brøndby.

The sides that are very much in the want file by many of us fans are the Scottish duo of Hearts and Aberdeen. Close affordable trips, who will bring a sizable away crowd and who knows maybe progress. Linfield from Belfast would be a decent clash, although personally speaking I would prefer to get off the island for our European trip. Luxembourg's Differdange is high on my wish list. Offers a good chance of progress, affordable trip and Luxembourg generally is nice in late June/July (although at the moment not quiet as nice as usual).
I am also one for an adventure trip so would have no qualms about going to the likes of Israel, Azerbaijan, Georgia or Kazakhstan. So eagerly looking forward to finally finding out where City will be doing battle in Europe this year!.