Larne know they will face Norwegian champions Bodo/Glimt if they can overcome RFS in Champions League qualifying

The draw was made at the UEFA Headquarters in Nyon and sees the Inver Reds paired with the Norwegian side – if they can triumph over RFS across two legs.

Bodo/Glimt have previous experience of playing in Northern Ireland as they were 8-1 victors across two legs against Linfield in Champions League qualifying back in 2022/23.

Larne booked a spot in the premier European competition for the second consecutive season after successfully retaining their Gibson Cup crown, ultimately finishing five points ahead of Linfield while conceding only 21 times in 38 matches.

Larne will represent the Irish League in this year's Champions League after winning the Gibson Cup last year

In last season’s maiden Champions League voyage, they were narrowly defeated by Finnish outfit HJK Helsinki in the first round after extra-time with Lee Bonis and Joe Thomson scoring at Solitude before an unfortunate own goal resulted in Tiernan Lynch’s side dropping into the Conference League.

This time at the first hurdle, they’ll face Latvian champions RFS, who have recent experience of facing Irish League opposition after beating Linfield in a dramatic penalty shootout in the final round of Conference League qualifying in 2022.

Remarkably, RFS were only founded in 2016 and have since won two Latvian Higher League titles. This summer’s venture into the Champions League is only their second – they were beaten by HJK over two legs in 2022 before reaching the Conference League, finishing bottom of a group that included İstanbul Başakşehir, Fiorentina and Hearts.