Linfield 0-1 Cork City
Cork City secured an impressive Europa League first qualifying first leg win at Linfield.
The Rebel Army had striker Sean Maguire to thank for the Windsor Park victory, but in truth they should have won by a bigger margin.
The slender single goal advantage is a perfect result for the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division side going into next Thursday night's second leg clash at Turners Cross.
Northern Ireland international goalkeeper Roy Carroll, returned from Euro 2016 and was given his Linfield debut between the sticks.
Despite being on the back foot for the opening 17 minutes it was the home side who had the first real shot in anger but Cork old boy Ross Gaynor saw his right wing free-kick tipped over by Mark McNulty.
Moments later Maguire broke in behind the Linfield back-line, but his low drive from the right hand side the box, was easily gathered by Carroll.
Linfield should have taken the lead on 22 minutes after Gaynor's corner was flicked on by Mark Haughey at the near post and the unmarked Paul Smith, somehow headed over from close range.
Soon after Cork's Steven Beattie saw his powerful 25 yard drive parried away by Carroll, as the first leg tie started to come to life.
Cork boss John Caulfield would not have been happy with his side's first half display and that was proven at the break as he made a change with Daniel Morrissey replacing Karl Sheppard.
The visitors broke the deadlock on 64 minutes thanks to a penalty.
Blues midfielder Stephen Lowry stupidly upended man of the match Stephen Dooley inside the box, referee Bart Vertenten rightfully pointed to the spot, from which Maguire made no mistake, firing home his ninth goal for the season.
Cork were inches away from doubling their lead on 70 minutes when Kevin O'Connor's in-swinging corner from the right found centre-back Kenny Browne, but his header which had Carroll beaten, was headed off the line by Lowry.
Carroll made a super save on 78 minutes as the Blues failed to clear their lines properly but O'Connor's well hit drive from 14 yards was kept out by the fully stretched Linfield net-minder.
Linfield: Roy Carroll, Niall Quinn, Mark Stafford, Mark Haughey, Reece Glendinning; Kirk Millar (Ross Clarke 84), Stephen Lowry, Jamie Mulgrew (David Kee 56), Ross Gaynor; Paul Smyth (Aaron Burns 72); Andrew Waterworth.
Cork City: Mark McNulty, Kevin O'Connor, Alan Bennett, Kenny Browne, Steven Beattie; Greg Bolger, Gearoid Morrissey, Garry Buckley (Mark O'Sullivan 60); Karl Sheppard (Daniel Morrissey H-T), Sean Maguire (Colin Healy 90), Stephen Dooley.
Referee: Mr Bart Vertenten (Belgium)
