Ganesh Kendale
Now, Larne’s European dreams are set to become a reality.
It will be a tough test as they balance a first European campaign with a stacked domestic schedule, with their league defence and cup ties also on the cards.
First up, it’s a trip to Molde on 3 October. The Norwegians, who lost to Glenavon in 2018, are third in the league and come into the game unbeaten in four.
Larne’s home matches will be played at Windsor Park, the home of their Irish Premiership rivals Linfield, as Inver Park does not meet Uefa’s requirements for the group stages and Shamrock Rovers will make the short trip to Belfast at the end of the month.
Swiss side St Gallen travel to Northern Ireland on 7 November before Tiernan Lynch’s side visit Ljubljana to face Olimpija at the end of November.
Larne’s match with Dinamo Minsk is likely to be behind closed doors due to current Uefa restrictions against Belarus, and their group stage ends with possibly their toughest fixture, at home to Belgian giants Gent.
Financially, the club has already earned £2.6m with their qualification, and that figure can rise with positive results.
Larne have already ventured where no side from the Irish Premiership has been before. Will they make even more history?
