Bolger primed for Europe

 

The Wexford native is hoping for a better performance from his side, who will likely debut a new white away jersey for this clash, after a disappointing draw against Shamrock Rovers in Tallaght Stadium.

 

“Yes, it’s a big game, especially with our performance on the Friday night," Bolger told the assembled media in Bishopstown. "We set our own team standards during the year. Both teams just huffed and puffed and we’re mad to get going again, out as quick as possible as a team.

 

“It’s a good game and a big game up there, probably the best draw we could have got as a team and fans. They’re a good team, Linfield.”

 

The Irish League has a similar style of football to the League of Ireland and this is something mentioned by the former St. Patrick's Athletic player who played in the third qualifying round of this competition with the Saints back in 2012. 

 

“It’s going to be more of a League of Ireland game than a European game," said Bolger. "I’ve played a lot of European games, you give away the ball to certain teams than you don’t get it back, but I think this game will suit us down to the ground. 

 

“We’ll be going out there to press, play our normal game. So I think it’s the ideal draw for us and we will definitely be going up there to win.”

 

The bookmakers currently have Cork City as 6/5 favourites for this tie and the central midfielder is fully expecting his side to get a good result. 

 

“We are favourites and we should be going up there thinking that we can win.”

 

Bolger is the only City player who will have played in Windsor Park before; Mark McNulty was an unused sub when the Rebel Army last played there nine years ago.

 

“I played up there with Dundalk in the Setanta Cup years ago," said Bolger. "It’s a hostile atmosphere and the pitch is huge but I think that will suit us the way we play as we like to get it wide. It suits the way we play and we are looking forward to it.”

 

While Bolger is happy with the long bus trip up to Belfast, he revealed other players were hoping for somewhere more exotic for their European tie. Though he expects his team to get a result, the 27 year old insists that if they don't, City will be geared up for a tough tie down in Turner’s Cross.

 

“I was really happy [with the draw], some were less happy as they wanted somewhere foreign but it’s good for us as we don’t have far for travel," said Bolger.

 

“Hopefully we can get a result up there and then we can have a right pop off them down here. We’re going up there to try for a win, it mightn’t be the case but we’ll give our best. But playing the away leg first does help, as all in all we can get a draw and that means we can have a proper pop off them when they come down here.”