Invermen draw comfort, but it’s tricky for Crues and Blues
Europa Conference League
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If Larne can overcome Kosovan champions Ballkani in the second qualifying round of the Europa Conference League, they will face Gibraltar’s Lincoln Red Imps in the next round.
It’s a favourable draw for the Irish League champions, who were knocked out of the Champions League by Finnish side HJK last week.
However, the possibility of a trip to Gibraltar will bring back some bad memories for the Inver Park faithful — last year, the Tiernan Lynch’s side were knocked out of the Conference League St Joseph’s.
Larne’s Irish League rivals Crusaders and Linfield have a much trickier pathway to the fourth qualifying round of the European Conference League.
If the Crues spring a huge surprise and overcome Norway’s Rosenborg, they will face Edinburgh club Hearts in the third round.
If Linfield stun Polish giants Pogoń Szczecin in the second round, they will play the winners of Belgium side Gent or Slovenia’s MŠK Žilina.
David Healy’s Linfield, of course, are currently battling to get their opening Irish Premiership clash with Cliftonville moved from Saturday, August 5 as they are in European action two days prior. The Reds, however, don’t want to move to the Sunday.
League of Ireland side Derry City also have a difficult pathway to the fourth round.
If they can defeat Finland’s KuPS in the second round they will take on the winners of Switzerland’s Basel or Tobol of Kazakhstan in the third round.
The first leg of the second round will be played this week, with Larne in action this evening followed by Crusaders, Derry City and Linfield on Thursday. The second legs will be played next week.
The third round’s first leg is scheduled for Thursday, August 10, with the second leg set for Thursday, August 17.
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