Dundalk fans set for over 15,000 kilometres of air travel after Europa League draw

Spare a thought for Dundalk fans.

North London pair Tottenham and Arsenal will be racking up the air miles on their Champions League trips this year - but it is nothing compared to the Europa League.

With Arsenal travelling to Bulgaria to tackle Ludogorets Razgrad and Tottenham facing an even longer round trip, 4,990km, to face Russian side CSKA Moscow, the North London pair will have to draw on their experience of managing such trips.

Friday's Europa League draw, though, handed Manchester United trips to both Turkey and Ukraine, while Southampton were sent to Israel to face Hapoel Be'er Sheva.

But spare a thought for Dundalk.

The Irish minnows did superbly to reach the Champions League play-offs, guaranteeing themselves a Europa League group place, and have been rewarded with return trips to Maccabi Tel Aviv (8,080km), Zenit St Petersburg (4,600km) and AZ Alkmaar (2,500km).

In addition, they themselves are 74km from Dublin airport, with Alkmaar around 48km from Amsterdam Schiphol.