There will be no marquee meeting with Celtic for Cork City in the first round of the Champions League but Ireland’s title-holders will still face tough opposition when the pairings are finalised at the draw in Switzerland this morning.

Cork City might be out of Europe for another 12 months and looking forward to Champions League football next summer but despite the hefty costs of away trips to Estonia and Cyprus, the club coffers are ticking over nicely.

A second-half goal from Joan Truyois saw AEK Larnaca take control of this Uefa Europa League second qualifying round tie as they defeated a gallant Cork City in front of a packed Turner’s Cross last night.

Cork City boss John Caulfield has hailed Sean Maguire as the club’s greatest ever striker ahead of his last home game for the club tonight.

Since he arrived at Cork City, Kevin O’Connor has strived to live up to these goals.

After the highs of Thursday night’s European thriller, Seánie Maguire is determined to ensure there’s no Sunday comedown for Cork City at Turner’s Cross tomorrow afternoon.

John Caulfield is a passionate figure on the sidelines at Turner’s Cross but he’ll be hoping Cork City can afford him an opportunity to relax tonight, if only to give his heart a break.

New Cork City signing Kieran Sadlier has revealed striker Seanie Maguire played a crucial role in his decision to move to Turner’s Cross.

Official confirmation that Kevin O’Connor has become Simon Grayson’s last signing as Preston North End manager now gives way to speculation about who the Cork City player – as well as his teammate Sean Maguire and fellow League of Ireland exports Daryl Horgan and Andy Boyle – will be playing under at Deepdale next season.

Cork City have been to the Baltics before on European football expeditions in Latvia and Lithuania but this evening’s Europa League first round qualifier here in the coastal resort town of Parnu is a first for the club.

The map of Europe presents a very different picture now to the days John Caulfield was gnawing at the ankles of elite club defenders.

They’re not quite in holiday mode, but Cork City will take to the beach today as they begin their Europa League campaign, and it’s a boy from Brazil who threatens to derail the European adventure.

Cork City can focus their attentions on Thursday’s night game in Estonia against Levadia Tallinn, John Caulfield’s men securing what was a hard-earned victory over a lively and determined Derry City at Maginn Park.

You’re sitting 18 points clear at the top of the league, you’re unbeaten since the start of the season and you’re entering into European competition with an attractive draw against Levadia Tallinn.

Ryan Delaney will be staying at Cork City until the end of the season.

Cork City have been dealt a massive blow with the news club captain Johnny Dunleavy is set to miss the rest of the season with a knee injury.

Here's what you need to know.

Cork City will play Levadia Tallinn in the First Qualifying Round of this year’s Europa League.

Although delighted that the club are back in Europe for the first time since 2008, Cork City boss John Caulfield admits to mixed feelings about drawing Iceland’s KR Reykjavik in the Europa League.

St Patrick’s Athletic fans face a trip to Poland as they were drawn against Legia Warsaw in the Second Qualifying round of the Champions League today.

Drogheda United return to the European stage tonight for the first time since 2008 when they host Swedish giants Malmo in Tallaght Stadium (kick-off 7.45pm).

Irish sides have been handed difficult draws for next season’s Europa League.

UNDERDOGS? Tarmo Ruutli doesn’t know the meaning of the word.

STEPHEN WARD has been here before.

BOHEMIANS will have every reason to hope that they can advance to the third qualifying round of the Champions League after a second-half goal from Killian Brennan gave them a narrow victory over Welsh side TNS in a tense second-round, first-leg tie at Dalymount Park last night.

BOHEMIANS have been drawn against Welsh side TNS (now The New Saints, formerly Total Network Solutions) in the Champions League second round qualifying round.

Bohemians have been drawn against TNS of Wales in the Champions League second qualifying round.

Drogheda United will face Dynamo Kiev in the second qualifying round of the Champions League after a brave victory over Estonian side Levadia Tallinn.

Drogheda winger Ollie Cahill has urged his team-mates to get in the faces of Levadia Tallinn as his side attempts to keep its Champions League dreams alive.

Drogheda United 2 Levadia Tallinn 1

Drogheda United 2 UCD 1

Drogheda manager Paul Doolin is convinced summer football has improved the Republic of Ireland’s fortunes on the European stage.

Walter Smith admits Rangers face a venture into the unknown tomorrow night when they host a Red Star Belgrade side who have suffered internal turmoil in recent days.

Rangers will face Red Star Belgrade in the final round of Champions League qualifying after the Serbian side scraped past Levadia Tallinn.

Rangers match-winner DaMarcus Beasley insists UEFA and FIFA must take a hard line stance against racism after he was targeted by FK Zeta fans making monkey noises during last night’s Champions League tie.

FK Zeta 0 Rangers 1 (Rangers win 3-0 on agg)

CLUB secretary Bryce Morrison admits Liverpool are heading into unknown territory after the Reds were paired with Toulouse in the Champions League third qualifying round.

Club secretary Bryce Morrison admits Liverpool are heading into unknown territory after the Reds were paired with Toulouse in the Champions League third qualifying round.

ARSENAL new boy Eduardo da Silva impressed in last night’s friendly at Red Bull Salzburg but could not prevent the Gunners falling to a narrow defeat.

Newcastle boss Glenn Roeder has promised there will be more goals to come from £10m (€14.8m) striker Obafemi Martins as he finds his feet in the Barclays Premiership.

NEWCASTLE striker Obafemi Martins paid a sizeable chunk off his £10 million (€14.8m) transfer fee to fire his side into the UEFA Cup group stages last night.

Newcastle 2 Levadia Tallinn 1 (Newcastle win 3-1 on aggregate)

NEWCASTLE boss Glenn Roeder will not allow the soap opera of life at St James’ Park to distract him from his mission.

Newcastle boss Glenn Roeder will keep faith with central defender Titus Bramble for tomorrow night’s UEFA Cup clash with Levadia Tallinn.