Larne not daunted by size of the task in Champions League debut: Tiernan Lynch
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A special bit of Irish League history will be made on Wednesday when Larne play Champions League football for the first time and proud manager Tiernan Lynch says they will savour every second of it.
The Irish Premiership champions will make their debut in the competition in the first leg at the Bolt Arena in a daunting test against HJK Helsinki in the first qualifying round (5.00pm).
The Larne squad that arrived in Finland via a charter flight yesterday are riding a wave of excitement and pride.
A first ever Gibson Cup success has shaken the Irish League and opened the door to a potentially lucrative European journey.
Linfield reached the Europa Conference League Group Stage Play-Off last summer and the Invermen know if they can conquer HJK Helsinki they will progress to the second Champions League qualifying round and are guaranteed that Play-Off.
Not a simple assignment, however, on paper or the pitch.
HJK Helsinki clinched their third successive Finnish title last October and it was the 32nd time that they have won their domestic league.
The return game will be staged at Larne’s nominated home venue of Solitude.
Lynch’s side are unable to use their Inver Park ground in the tournament as the synthetic pitch failed to meet FIFA criteria.
If Larne can win this tie, they will face another Scandinavian side in the form of Molde in the second qualifying round.
Should Larne be unsuccessful against Helsinki in the top-tier competition, they will face either Ballkani (Kosovo) or Ludogorets (Bulgaria) in the second qualifying round of the Europa
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