June
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Here is the final word from Ireland 2001 after City's 4 - 1 win over Longford Town.

RHYS WESTON and Michael Simpkins both picked up groin injuries in the final match of Cardiff's two game tour of Ireland in Longford on Monday. Defender Weston injured his groin on 41 minutes, but was able to resume after treatment. However, he didn't reappear for the second-half as City cruised in to a 4-1 win at the Longford Rugby Ground with goals from new signings Des Hamilton (27 minutes), Graham Kavanagh (44), Josh Low (74) and Rob Earnshaw (77).

After the match City boss Alan Cork blamed the conditions for the injuries and said: "Simmo did his groin quite early. The pitch was a bit slippery, which didn't help." He added: "I felt the first-half we did okay. We looked quite confident. I enjoyed what I saw. The lads showed a better attitude than Saturday, which was also pleasing. "Overall, I've few complaints. A 4-1 win speaks for itself, but these games are about giving the players a run and getting them back into the routine of doing it again."

Cork was obviously delighted with the win, but said the trip to Ireland was a bonding experience more than anything else. He revealed: "We had seven new players and it was important for them to get to know the other lads who were already here. We stayed in a little place called Ballygar, on the outskirts of Athlone. The people there are lovely. It is a very intimate setting. It was just what we wanted." Cork praised Kavanagh's match winning contribution. Kav created the chance for Hamilton to claim his first goal for City and got on the scoresheet himself before he departed the action on the hour - just six weeks after a double hernia operation. Cork said: "Kav is a very good player. We know what he can do. It is just making sure he is fit for the start of the season."

Cork was as non-commital as ever after the game in relation to the eleven that will start City's league opener against Wycombe at Ninian Park on August 11. He said: "We've got two more games to go before we get to that stage. Everyone's playing for their place. It's that simple. You will just have to wait and see."

Cork hopes Ballygar will act as a lucky omen for him again. He said: "I've been there six years and had three promotion out of it. That can't be bad, can it ? It's like 1945 in Ballygar, but because the place is so small you have to do everything together. But that was the idea of being based there.

"There are more exotic locations, but Ballygar will do for me." The only blip was Spencer Prior's og on 64 minutes, but the former Manchester City man left no one in any doubt who he felt was at fault with an icy stare at new City keeper Neil Alexander. The og appeared to stem from some hesistancy from Alexander, who didn't react decisively enough after Longford played a pacey low cross into the box.