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Uefa Conference League: Chelsea? Fiorentina? Hearts? Who could Larne face?


Larne can now look forward to today’s draw for the Uefa Conference League group phase after making history at Inver Park.

Andy Ryan’s hat-trick helped the 10-man hosts to a superb 3-2 aggregate win over Lincoln Red Imps to become the first Irish League club to make the group or league stages of a European club competition.

There’s the financial rewards with the Premiership champions receiving approximately £2.6m in participation money and they can earn £336,000 for a win and £112,000 for a draw.

But there’s also the glamour of taking on Europe’s top teams so all eyes will be on the partially automated draw at 13:30 BST in Monaco.

Larne are in Pot 6 and will play six fixtures – three at home and three away – against a team from each pot.

Pot 1 contains two-time Champions League winners Chelsea – what a night that would be for Larne to travel to Stamford Bridge or bring the Premier League side to their Co Antrim home.

Italian giants Fiorentina would also be a plum draw from Pot 1 while Pot 4 provides a few possible tasty ties.

Larne could face Scottish Premiership club Hearts while there’s also League of Ireland outfit Shamrock Rovers and Welsh club The New Saints.

Other possible opponents include Panathinaikos, Legia Warsaw and Real Betis.

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