Cork City under-19s prepare for 'unbelievable challenge' as they face AS Roma

These are exciting times to be a player in the Cork City under-19 dressing room.

On Wednesday night, November 2nd, they host Italian giants AS Roma at Turners Cross in the first leg of their UEFA Youth League Second Round tie.

For manager Stephen Bermingham and his side, this is an unbelievable experience and a very fine reward for the work which they have put in over the last year.

After beating Finnish side HJK Helsinki in the last round, it will be another massive test and learning experience for this young City side. To put things into context, Roma’s academy has produced players in the past such as the legendary Francesco Totti, Danielle De Rossi, Alessandro Florenzi and Simone Pepe.

It is the first time that a League Of Ireland side has played in an underage European competition, and some have even called this City under-19 side the best in the club’s history. A number of the players who will be on show against Roma on Wednesday have already featured for John Caulfield’s frst team.

Attacker Chiedozie Ogbene has showed the raw talent and sheer pace which he possesses, while defender Conor McCarthy has played for Ireland under-18s this year. The pair both scored recently for the first team against Wexford Youths at Turners Cross.

Along with others who have trained with Caulfield’s side, there are strong sides that the future is very bright on Leeside.

“It is a great opportunity for the lads,” Bermingham said ahead of Wednesday's game.

“Preparing for a game against a team like AS Roma is an unbelievable experience for them.

“Getting through Helsinki was huge for us and playing Roma is a huge opportunity for them and our lads are looking forward to testing themselves against one of the top underage sides in Europe.“

Summing up the mood among the players at the moment, striker Pierce Phillips said: "It’s unbelievable to be facing a club that big. They were the under-19 champions in Italy so we’re expecting tough opposition.

“We’ll stick to our game plan, as ever. We might alter it a little, depending on who we play but, at the end of the day, we focus on our own game and we’ll go out and do our best to get a result."

A crowd of 1,287 came out to see City’s under-19 team beat Helsinki in the previous round at Turners Cross. That figure was higher than the combined attendance for crunch games in the League Of Ireland Premier Division title race the same week between Longford and Dundalk plus St Pats v Cork City.

Another large attendance is expected on Wednesday. Kick off is at 7pm, with tickets for the game available at the gate, priced €5 for adults and €1 for under 16s.