SSE Airtricity League Champions Dundalk know their opponents in the opening rounds of the UEFA Champions League and their possible opponents in the UEFA Europa League. In yesterday's draw, it was confirmed that the Lilywhites will face Latvian Cham
SSE Airtricity League Champions Dundalk know their opponents in the opening rounds of the UEFA Champions League and their possible opponents in the UEFA Europa League.
In yesterday's draw, it was confirmed that the Lilywhites will face Latvian Champions Riga FC in the first qualifying round of the competition on Wednesday, July 10 at Oriel Park in the first leg and Wednesday, July 17 in Riga.
The draw for the second qualifying round took place today in Nyon, Switzerland and Dundalk will face the winner of Partizani (ALB) or Qarabağ (AZE) if they progress past Riga FC. If they lose to Riga FC, Dundalk will go into the second qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League where they will face the loser of BATE Borisov (Belarus) or Piast Gliwice (Poland).
In the UEFA Europa League, Cork City will have to wait to find out their opponent in the first qualifying round as they were drawn against FC Progres (LUX) or Cardiff MUFC (Wales). The two sides will face each other in an preliminary round tie on Thursday, June 27 and the winner will face the Leesiders.
Shamrock Rovers have been handed a tough first qualifying round tie as they face Norwegian side SK Brann whilst St. Patrick's Athletic face Swedish side IFK Norrköping. All UEFA Europa League ties will take place on July 11 and July 18.
The draw for the second qualifying round has also been completed. If Cork City progress, they could face Rangers or Prishtina/St. Joseph's whilst Shamrock Rovers could face Kauno Zalgiris (LTU) or Apollon Limassol (CYP) if they beat SK Brann. Finally, St. Patrick's Athletic will face FC Dinamo Minsk (BLS) or FK Liepaja (LVA) in the second qualifying round if they progress past IFK Norrkoping in the first qualifying round.
The draw for the UEFA Europa League second qualifying round, Champions Path, was also made as if Dundalk fail to progress against Riga FC, they will face the loser of BATE Borisov (BLS) and Piast Gliwice (POL).
The current European competitions fixture schedule is below. The outstanding kick-off times and dates are set to be announced in due course.
UEFA Champions League - First Qualifying Round
Wednesday, July 10: Dundalk v Riga FC - 7.45pm
Wednesday, July 17: Riga FC v Dundalk - TBC
UEFA Champions League - Second Qualifying Round
Tuesday/Wednesday, July 23/24: Dundalk v Partizani (AZE) or Qarabag (AZE) - TBC
Tuesday/Wednesday, July 30/31: Partizani (AZE) or Qarabag (AZE) v Dundalk - TBC
UEFA Europa League - First Qualifying Round
Thursday, July 11
Cork City v Progres Niederkorn (LUX) or Cardiff Metropolitan University - TBC
St. Patrick's Athletic v IFK Norrkoping - TBC
SK Brann v Shamrock Rovers - TBC
Thursday, July 18
Progres Niederkorn (LUX) or Cardiff Metropolitan University v Cork City - TBC
IFK Norrkoping v St. Patrick's Athletic - TBC
Shamrock Rovers v SK Brann - TBC
UEFA Europa League - Second Qualifying Round
Thursday, July 25
Prishtina (KOS) or Rangers (SCO) v Cork City - TBC
St. Patrick's Athletic v FC Dinamo Minsk (BLS) or FK Liepaja (LVA) - TBC
Shamrock Rovers v Kauno Zalgiris (LTU) or Apollon Limassol (CYP) - TBC
Thursday, August 1
Cork City v Prishtina (KOS)/St. Joseph's (GIB) or Rangers (SCO) - TBC
FC Dinamo Minsk (BLS) or FK Liepaja (LVA) v St. Patrick's Athletic - TBC
Kauno Zalgiris (LTU) or Apollon Limassol (CYP) v Shamrock Rovers - TBC
UEFA Europa League - Second Qualifying Round (Champions Path)
Thursday, July 25
Loser of BATE Borisov (BLS) v Piast Gliwice (POL) v Loser of Dundalk v Riga FC - TBC
Thursday, August 1
Loser of Dundalk v Riga FC v Loser of BATE Borisov (BLS) v Piast Gliwice (POL) - TBC
