The most unique rounds of any football competition in the world, the UEFA Champions and Conference League preliminary rounds let us have a peak at the elite level of European leagues which traditionally do not have much time in the spotlight. The Irish League is one such example, Northern Ireland is fiercely passionate about football; however, it is passion directed mainly toward English and Scottish teams with Irish League outfits generally being an afterthought for supporters. This has led to lesser growth for teams in the region and has meant that despite a nation of talented footballers over the years, ‘local’ clubs still have never progressed to the Group Stages of European football.
Larne FC
Current champions of the Irish League, Larne FC are entering their second UEFA Champions League campaign in a row following a loss to HJK Helsinki in the first qualifying round of last season’s competition.
In the first leg of this year’s first qualifying round, they went away to runaway leaders of Latvia’s Virsliga FK Rīgas Futbola Skola ‘RFS’ where they faced a crushing 3-0 defeat. RFS have had a meteoric rise since their founding in 2016, they have been crowned champions of Latvia in 2021 and 2023 alongside domestic cup wins in 2019 and 2021.
Larne FC defender Tomas Cosgrove
RFS have form against sides from Northern Ireland having defeated Linfield in the Play-Off round in the 2022-23 UEFA Europa Conference League in Windsor Park on penalties, following a last-minute own goal from Linfield defender Jimmy Callacher.
Larne are unlikely to overturn their defeat but this will not end their European journey with eliminated Champions League teams being entered into the second qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League following their exit.
Linfield FC
Historically the Irish League team with the best shot at entering the Group Stages of UEFA competition; Linfield has played a massive 137 games in Europe but, has only won 29 of those.
Having been beaten to the Irish League Premiership title by Larne for the second year running Linfield entered the UEFA Conference League’s first qualifying round against Icelandic outfit Stjarnan who sit seventh in the Besta deildin after 14 games. It was a fairly one-sided affair with Linfield losing 2-0 away from home with Chris Shields missing a penalty during the game.
I don’t believe Linfield are out of this yet; Stjarnan has match fitness on their side due to Icelandic having a ‘Summer League’ format, but they hadn’t picked up a win since mid-June and more broadly have been in poor form. This coupled with a long journey to Belfast, Linfield have to make these things count to save their European campaign.
Linfield manager David Healy
crusaders FC
A fixture created through domestic play-offs, Crusaders entered this year’s UEFA Conference league following a victory against Coleraine FC. Their opponents, Caernarfon Town FC enter their first European tournament through Wales’ domestic play-off where they beat Penybont FC 3-1.
In the first leg, Caernarfon beat the seven-time Irish league champions 2-0 at Nantporth Stadium in Bangor a huge result as they enter Seaview in Belfast for the return leg.
Crusaders winger Jarlath O’Rourke
Crusaders are in transition following the departure of the longest-tenured manager in world football Stephen Baxter who left the club after 19 years as manager. Due to this, they may not have the organisation to overturn a two-goal deficit against a team that aim to make an impact on their first time out.
Cliftonville FC
The Irish Cup champions have the honour of entering the UEFA Conference league at the second qualifying round, this makes the domestic cup in Northern Ireland an attractive prospect meaning you get more rest and fewer games in pursuit of the Group Stages which nets significant prize money for clubs who largely operate in part-time models.
Cliftonville players ahead of the 2019 Europa League campaign
Cliftonville will take on one of B36 Torshavn of the Faroe Islands or FK Auda of Latvia who lead 2-0 following the first leg. B36 Torshavn are not to be counted out, they have reached the third play-off round in each of the last three Europa and Conference League campaigns.
This is only Auda’s second European venture and with a 9-hour plus round trip to manage during their domestic season it will be a tall task to defend their lead to play Cliftonville in the next round.
