Seeded City learn Europa opposition
Tickets for Cork City's home tie for the first round of the Europa League will go on sale later this week.
It was confirmed on Tuesday that City face a trip to either Luxembourg or Wales to face the winners of Progrès Niederkorn and Cardiff Metropolitan University who play each other in a preliminary tie.This result will be decided by 4 July before City face the winners.
Shamrock Rovers are set to face SK Brann of Norway while St Patrick’s Athletic will travel to Sweden for the first leg of their clash with IFK Norrkoping. Those matches will be played on 11 and 18 July, with City drawn as the home team for their first leg.
The dates and times for the home and away leg will be confirmed by 19 June with tickets available from the club shop and online at Eventbrite and the Eventbrite app.
Progrès Niederkorn ply their trade in the Luxumbourg National Division, finishing fourth in the 2018/2019 season which concluded in May. They have previously met Irish opposition in the Europa League, losing 3-0 to Shamrock Rovers in the first round in 2015.
Cardiff Metropolitan University play in the Welsh Premier League, having been promoted from Division 1 in 2016. They last qualified for the Europa League, then known as the UEFA Cup, in 1999, losing 2-1 to Slovenian side Gorica.
Tuesday's draw in Nyon, Switzerland, also saw SSE Airtricity League champions Dundalk FC drawn against Latvian champions Riga FC in the Champion's League.
Meanwhile the club has also confirmed a three-year partnership with Cork Airport which will cover the 2019, 2020 and 2021 seasons and will see further additions to the existing partnership such as Cork Airport's title branding of friendly fixtures, including the forthcoming game against Preston North End. Cork Airport will also continue to provide operational and logistical support to the club around the forthcoming Europa League fixtures.
Commenting on the news, Head of Communications at Cork Airport, Kevin Cullinane said: “We are absolutely delighted to partner and further expand our great relationship with Cork City FC. They are an integral part of the fabric of Cork life and give so many locals, young and old and outlet of excitement and opportunity. We wish them continued success for the years ahead.”
Paul Deasy, Commercial and Marketing Manager at Cork City FC, welcomed confirmation of the agreement, saying: “As a club, we are very proud to represent our city and county around Ireland and abroad.
“We are delighted to work with many prestigious Cork institutions, and our partnership with our friends at Cork Airport is a perfect example of two Cork organisations working together.”