10 hours ago
Larne and Cliftonville set for lengthy trips in Conference League first qualifying round
Larne and Cliftonville will both have lengthy trips to make for their UEFA Conference League first qualifying round ties after being drawn against Latvian and Gibraltarian opposition respectively.
Nathan Rooney, in his first competitive game in charge of the Inver Reds, will face Latvian side FK Auda, while Jim Magilton's Reds are to take on St Joseph's.
Ironically, both teams will be familiar to Irish League fans having played Northern Irish opposition in Europe before – Auda knocking out Cliftonville last year, while St Joseph's defeated Larne two years ago!
Larne in particular will know they are in for a tough draw after Auda knocked Cliftonville out of the Conference League a year ago in the second qualifying round, winning both legs to triumph 4-1 on aggregate.
The Riga-based outfit are only competing in their third-ever European campaign after finishing third in the Virslīga last season, although they were only promoted to the top flight three years ago, such has been their rise.
Jurģis Kalns' side won the only major trophy in their history in 2022 when they won the Latvian Cup and are currently third in this season's Virslīga, although they are well off the pace of leaders Riga, 14 points adrift with just under half the season played.
Larne will have to be wary of dangerman Abiodun Ogunniyi, who scored twice against Cliftonville.
Meanwhile, on the face of it St Joseph's appears a kind draw for Cliftonville given they could have drawn Icelandic side Víkingur Reykjavík, however they will still be wary of the Gibraltarian side.
St Joseph's finished runners-up in the Gibraltar Premier League last season but, perhaps crucially, like Cliftonville are in the middle of their off-season which should help with the Reds' preparation for the game.
Their European record is poor, having won just two ties against Kosovan outfit Prishtina and then Larne two years ago, which will fill Magilton and co. with plenty of optimism.
