Dundalk FC’s Europa League first round first leg tie against Luxembourg outfit AS Jeunesse Esch will take place in just eight days time on Tuesday July 1st.
The two sides were paired together in the draw, which took place in UEFA HQ in Switzerland this morning, with the game brought forward by two days to avoid a clash with another Luxembourg outfit who were also drawn at home on the initial date of Thursday July 3rd.
The first leg will have a provisional kick-off time of 6pm.
The return leg will take place as scheduled on Thursday July 10th in Oriel Park.
AS Jeunesse Esch are based in Esch-sur-Alzette in south-western Luxembourg at the French border. They are the most successful side in the country, having won the National Division title on 28 occasions.
Their side contains a number of Luxembourg internationals.
Dundalk fans will be familiar with Luxembourg with many of them having travelled for the club’s last Europa League fixture in 2010 when the club played FC Grevenmacher, a town 46km away from Esch-sur-Alzette.
It is understood the club will announce a travel package for fans in conjunction with Centre Travel in the next few days.
Meanwhile, Stephen Kenny’s side will face Hadjuk Split in the second round of the qualifying stage if they get past As Jeunesse Esch.
The Lilywhites played Hadjuk in the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1977, drawing 1-1 in Oriel Park thanks to a Terry Flanagan goal before losing the return leg.
