Soccer

Larne to face HJK Helsinki in Uefa Champions League qualifying round

Larne players celebrates clinching the Danke Bank Premiership title. The Inver Park side will make their debut in the Champions League against HJK Helsinki
Larne players celebrates clinching the Danke Bank Premiership title. The Inver Park side will make their debut in the Champions League against HJK Helsinki

NIFL Premiership champions Larne have been drawn to face HJK Helsinki in the Champions League first qualifying round. 

The first leg of next month's tie will take place in Finland, with the return game staged at the club's nominated home venue of Solitude. 

Larne are set for their maiden appearance in the competition after winning the Premiership title for the first time in their 134-year history. 

Tiernan Lynch's side are unable to use their Inver Park ground in the tournament as the synthetic pitch failed to meet FIFA criteria. 

League of Ireland champions Shamrock Rovers will play the winners of the preliminary round, which features Andorran side Atletic Club d'Escaldes, Buducnost Podgorica of Montenegro, San Marino club Tre Penne and Breidablik of Iceland. 

Welsh champions The New Saints take on Swedish champions BK Hacken, beginning away from home. 

First-leg matches will be held on July 11 and 12, with return games scheduled for July 18 and 19. 

In the draw for the first qualifying round of the Europa Conference League, Irish Cup winners Crusaders have been drawn to play Haka of Finland. 

NIFL Premiership runners-up Linfield face Albanian oppisition in Vllaznia while, Glentoran, winners over Cliftonville on the European play-off final, have been drawn to play Gzira United of Malta. 

FAI Cup winners Derry City face a trip to the Faroe Islands to take on HB while Dundalk have been drawn to face Magpies from Gibraltar. 

St Patrick’s Athletic will play Diddeleng of Luxembourg. 

The two-legged ties will take place on July 13 and 20.