REVEALED: Dundalk FC learn their Europa Conference League opponents
It is expected the first leg will take place on 13th July, with the return fixtures due to take place on 20th July.
Dundalk have been drawn against FCB Magpies of Gibraltar in the first qualifying round of the Europa Conference League.
It is expected the first leg will take place on 13th July, with the return fixtures due to take place on 20th July.
Entering European competition for the 26th time, Dundalk learned of their Europa Conference League opponents, when the first and qualifying round draw was made this afternoon inside UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.
The Lilywhites didn’t compete in Europe last season, but have returned after Stephen O’Donnell guided them to a third-place finish in the 2022 SSE Airtricity League table.
Prize money for reaching the group stages of the Conference League equates to around €3 million, but Dundalk would need to progress through four rounds to claim that pot.
However, with a healthy coefficient of 8.500, Dundalk sit 164th in the UEFA rankings and were seeded in the first qualifying round, as well as the second should they progress.
“It’s right around the corner, it’s a great time of year,” said Stephen O’Donnell, who is entering his debut European campaign as a manager.
“When the draw is made, it becomes real. You have a target and everyone gets excited. I’ve been there as a player and it’s the best time of year, excitement playing in Europe.
“It’s one of the huge things of coaching domestically in Ireland. You get to coach in Europe, which a lot of brilliant managers far better and far more experienced have never done in England and Scotland, so it’s exciting. But it’s not being like putting teams on a pedestal either. We’re going out to beat them, whoever we play.”
The second qualifying round draw, which takes place tomorrow (Wednesday) afternoon, could pair Dundalk with more familiar opposition in the form of Inter Escaldes (Andorra), Levski Sofia (Bulgaria), Levadia Tallinn (Estonia) and NK Celje (Slovenia).
Domestically, The Lilywhites are back on the Premier Division beat this Friday night in the latest Louth derby instalment against Drogheda United at Weavers Park (kick-off, 7.45pm).
O’Donnell’s team won their last two matches prior to the mid-season break, and come into this fixture just three points off third position and a place in Europe next season.
“The league’s so topsy-turvy. We had a bit of adversity. As I said to them, this is the industry we’re in. Probably more downs than ups, but you got to roll with it and you got to show your best face every day in training, every match you play. If you have a little bit of ability and do that, you’re going to have good moments too and you’re going to get your rewards.
“We stuck with it. The last two games, we obviously targeted six points before the break and I’m delighted. Obviously, we went behind in both of them, but showed the wherewithal and the attitude to come back and win both games.”
A busy schedule sees Dundalk face Drogheda on Friday, before hosting both St Patrick’s Athletic the following Monday and then Shamrock Rovers next Friday night at Oriel.
“We can take stock, reassess and say right, we need to get better. We know we do. Sometimes it’s not bad to end on two good wins and then decompress, take stock and really have a focus now, because we’re coming back into Drogheda, St Pats and Shamrock Rovers.
“They got a late winner (against St Pats), and to be fair to Drogheda, that’s probably the least they deserved throughout the first half of the season, so it’s going to be a really tough game.”