'Strange and surreal' - Lynch savours Euro draw

Larne manager Tiernan Lynch says watching the Uefa Conference League draw on Friday made all the club's hard work worthwhile.

A 4-3 aggregate win over Lincoln Red Imps saw Larne become the first Irish League club to make the group or league stages of a major European club competition.

Larne were drawn to play Dubliners Shamrock Rovers, Molde, Olimpija, Dinamo Minsk, Gent and St Gallen.

"It was a bit strange and surreal, watching Larne come into a European group stage draw - just being here makes it all worthwhile," said Lynch.

"I'm delighted and excited. Even being mentioned in the draw with teams like Chelsea - it's an experience we have to enjoy and hopefully it's not a one-off."

A Windsor Park meeting with League of Ireland champions Shamrock Rovers is the pick of Larne's six fixtures.

"The other teams I don't know much about, but with the Rovers game we know how good they are and how dominant they've been down there over the last number of years. To get them at Windsor Park really sets it up."

Lynch watched the draw along with Larne owner Kenny Bruce, who started the club's revival with a £5m investment in 2017.

"It was absolutely terrific - it was great to experience the game last night and to watch the draw with all the people involved in creating what is going to be an exciting few months," said Bruce.

"I've had thousands of messages wishing us well, saying how proud they are of the club, the community and town and how much we've represented local football here in Northern Ireland."