Cork to play Cypriot team in Europe

eircom League champions Cork City will play Cypriot team Apollon in the first qualifying round of the Champions League next month.

Damien Richardson's men, who resume their league duties against Drogheda United tonight following the World Cup break, are at home against the Limassol-based team in the first leg.

Apollon finished the Cypriot season unbeaten, winning the league by a single point from rivals Omonia and two clear of third-placed APOEL.

Apollon are already busy preparing for their European campaign as German manager Bernd Stange has his players training at a mountainside camp.

Should Cork overcome the seeded Cypriots they would meet 1991 European Cup winners Red Star Belgrade in the second qualifying round

Irish League champions Linfield are at home first to Slovenian side Gorica and would meet Steaua Bucharest - conquerors of Shelbourne last season - should they progress.

First leg games  will be played on July 11th and 12th with the return leg a week later.

In the Uefa Cup, Drogheda United are away to Finnish side HJK Helsinki on July 13th before playing hosts at Dalymount Park in Dublin a week later.

Stephen Kenny's Derry City face a tough trip to Swedish side Gothenburg before the return leg at the Brandywell.

Like HJK, Gothenburg's season is already underway but Kenny will note that the Swedish league is currently in recess for two months during the World Cup.