Local sides crash out of Uefa Cup

All of the Northern Ireland teams have exited in the first round of their Uefa Cup ties.

Coleraine and Portadown's dream of progressing through to the next round of the Uefa Cup fell apart last night.

Coleraine's bid disintegrated after a five-goal thrashing at the hands of their Portuguese opponents. Portadown went down less spectacularly, 2-0 to Swedish side Malmo.

Five goals and two Coleraine players sent off was enough to see Marty Quinn's men beaten 6-2 on aggregate against UD Leiria.

The Bannsiders held Leiria for a full 45 minutes despite the 24th minute sending off of midfielder Stephen Beatty for an apparent elbow on an opponent.

However, the floodgates opened in the 58th minute through Pereira Ludemar and from then on in it was a struggle for the Irish League visitors.

Four further goals arrived in the last 13 minutes and to add insult to injury Coleraine had Stuart Clanachan sent off while Gareth McAuley hit the crossbar after a Tony Gorman cross as the game sat at 1-0.

Had that chance gone in the tie could have been turned on its head, but it was not to be. Marty Quinn's men must now turn their attention to the forthcoming league campaign which begins next month.

Portadown were beaten 2-0 at home to Malmo in their Uefa Cup first round second leg tie at Shamrock Park.

Ronnie McFall's team were simply playing for pride last night following a 4-0 drubbing in Sweden two weeks ago.

(MB)