WOMENS NATIONAL LEAGUE side Raheny United will play English club Bristol Academy in the last 32 of the Women’s Champions League.
The Pandas, who won the domestic title last season to book a place in the qualifiers of Europe’s elite competition, went on to make history earlier this month by topping their group after victories over Olimpia Cluj, NSA Sofia and Hibernians in Romania and progressing to the knockout stages for the first time.
Dubliners Raheny were one of the 16 unseeded sides in this afternoon’s draw and will take on Bristol at home first before making the short trip for the second leg.
“We are happy with the draw insofar as there will be the minimum amount of traveling involved,” said Raheny manager Casey McQuillan.
“But we realise we have an extremely tough task ahead of us. Nonetheless we will prepare to the best of our ability and give ourselves the best possible shot of progressing from the tie.
I hope the footballing public will come out to support the girls in October and see for themselves the superb level of football that is on offer.”
Bristol were given a bye to the last 32 after finishing second behind Liverpool in the FA WSL last year.
The round of 32 matches will take place on 8/9 and 15/16 October.
If Raheny can see off Bristol, they would meet either FC Barcelona or SK Slavia Praha in the last 16.
Here is the last 16 draw in full:
