Healy: "It's good for Cork City to be back in Europe."

It is seven years since Cork City last competed in European competition – or "too long" if you're a Cork City fan, and a lot has happened at the club in those years since. That season, it was a tie against Finnish side FC Haka where a 4-0 trashing in the second leg ended the Rebel Army's European adventure for 2008 (despite a 2-2 draw in Turner's Cross).

The Leesiders had become accustomed to the highs of European nights as the likes of Malmö and Djurgårdens from Sweden, NEC Nijmegen from the Netherlands and Apollon Limassol from Cyprus (among others) underestimated Cork City and suffered the consequences.

The disappointment of that 4-0 defeat in 2008 now seems trivial compared to what was to follow as the Turner's Cross faithful almost saw their beloved club go under, only to be saved by the supporters and FORAS.

It is perhaps because of all that has gone before that this season's European campaign is one of the most significant in the club's history – the first under FORAS stewardship and a testament to all involved at the club.

And so, all eyes in Cork were on Nyon in Switzerland on Monday as Gianni Infantino ordained that it would be KR Reykjavik who would provide the opposition for John Caulfield's men.

In the aftermath of the draw, Extratime.ie caught up with Cork City's Colin Healy, and the former Republic of Ireland international admitted he was happy with the draw, though also urged caution.

“Ya, I suppose we are. Listen, I don't know much about them,” said Healy. “I know they're going well in their league and they're scoring a lot of goals, but there's no easy games in Europe.

“It's good for Cork City to be back in Europe anyway.

“It'll be a tough game though, but as I said, there's no easy games in Europe.”

Going into the draw, arguments could be made both in favour and against drawing one of the big sides like West Ham or Southampton. Sure, the bumper crowd would be nice, but Healy is not just interested in taking part this summer and believes the draw has given his side a real chance of progression.

“You have to be happy to have dodged the big ones, and you hope you can go on a small bit of a run now.”

Despite a request from the Icelandic side to have the fixtures reversed, Cork City will have the home leg first in front of a potential sell-out crowd. The nature of these draws means that club officials barely have time to reflect as the first leg is next Thursday (July 2^nd), but Healy insists that the players have more pressing matters to deal with before they can entertain fanciful thoughts of European adventures.

“All of these teams, they're all good technical teams and they've got good players over in all these countries,” said Healy.

“The first game is next week and it is very short notice, but all of our concentration now is going into Derry City on Friday night. That's what you've got to do.

“The lads will do their homework on Iceland, the backroom staff and them will do that homework during the week, but as players we concentrate on the game on Friday night and when the game is finished on Friday night, then we'll concentrate on the European game.”

Though capped 17 times for Ireland, the Ballincollig midfielder hasn't played as much European club football as you might expect and on a personal level is looking forward to the challenge once again.

“Yeah, you know it's a good standard of football and everyone wants to play at the highest level they can,” admitted Healy. “I've been a bit unfortunate with my injuries and all that; I missed a lot of football. Coming back with Cork then, they've had good times in Europe as well.

“For the club and for the city it's good to be back in Europe. There's a buzz about the place when the European games come along, so everybody's looking forward to it.”

Preparation for fans of the Rebel Army is no doubt underway, and many will have noted that KR Reykjavik play in a stadium with a capacity below 3,000. Despite the modest surroundings that will greet him, Healy knows he can expect to see a few Cork City jerseys in the crowd.

“There will be no problem there,” said Healy. “Everybody knows the Cork City supporters. We're a big club and that's what we are. The supporters travel everywhere they can to watch us play.

“Listen, it doesn't matter if it's a small stadium or a big stadium. We just go out to play the game and we're looking forward to it, so hopefully we progress to the next round.”

One player who has experience for Cork City in Iceland is midfielder Liam Kearney – the 'Conna Maradonna' scored the second goal in a 2-0 win away to Icelandic side Valur in the 2007 European campaign. Speaking to the Extratime.ie Sportscast, we asked Kearney if he'd like the same again?

“Oh yeah, definitely!” he replied. “I think the 'keeper threw that ball in for me. It wasn't the best of free-kicks, I don't know what he was trying to do in the goals.

“Anytime you go away in Europe and you win, it's a great night for the club. With the first game at home, we have to get a good positive result to take over there and it will all be to play for then.”

You can hear more from Liam Kearney as well as reaction to yesterday's draw from the Dundalk, UCD, St Patrick's Athletic and Shamrock Rovers camps on this week's Extratime.ie Sportscast, which is now available here.