Cork City look in great shape to progress to the UEFA Europa League second qualifying round after earning a 2-0 win over Levadia Tallinn on Thursday evening.
The Estonians will now have a mountain to climb in the return leg after falling to defeat at home, which wasn't actually their home as they had to play the match roughly 90 minutes outside of Tallinn in the city of Parnu, while John Caulfield's men will return to Cork satisfied with their trip.
The job is only half done, but it was a strong showing that puts them in a very strong position to advance after taking the lead just before half time.
Garry Buckley was the man who got the opener from a free-kick routine that may not work against more organised sides...
43: GOAAAL @CorkCityFC.
Levadia 0-1 Cork. @GarryBuckley with the opening goal for Cork. Live now on eir Sport 1! #LOIinEurope pic.twitter.com/frdis1RWyc— eirSport (@eirSport) June 29, 2017
The second goal was little to do with a lack of defensive organisation, and more individual quality as Steven Beattie made things a lot more comfortable with a sweet strike from the edge of the area.
82: GOAAAALLL @CorkCityFC!
Levadia Tallinn 0-2 Cork. What a finish from @steven5beattie! Sensational strike to put Cork 2 up! #LOIinEurope pic.twitter.com/BvN2zo0dVp— eirSport (@eirSport) June 29, 2017
A job well done, hopefully Derry City and Shamrock Rovers can follow up with positive away results in the later kick-offs on Thursday.
The return leg is on July 6th,
