Preview: Drogheda United vs Levadia Tallinn

• Graeme McQueen
• Wed, Jul 16 2008




Drogheda United will make their Champions league debut this evening when they take on Estonian champions FC Levadia Tallinn in the first leg of first round qualifying at Dalymount Park (kick-off 19.45).

Drogheda go into the game as the seeded team. However, manager Paul Doolin is under no illusions about the size of the task facing his side. "They look a decent side, they have a good group of players and it'll be difficult, no question," Doolin said. "But we have good players and I have great faith in the players I have here."

Levadia travel to Dublin on the back of some impressive form. They currently lead bitter rivals Flora Tallinn at the top of the table and have won four league games on the bounce. Drogheda, on the other hand, have endured an inconsistent season thus far. After 17 games in the league last year's champions languish in fifth spot and trail leaders St Patrick's Athletic by 12 points.

On a brighter note for Doolin, he has the luxury of an almost full squad to choose from, with long-term injury victims Shane Barrett and Brian Shelley the only absentees. Club captain Declan O'Brien and first-choice 'keeper Dan Connor are both back in the squad following injury.

Should Drogheda overcome Levadia they will set up an illustrious meeting with Ukrainian side Dynamo Kiev in the second round of qualifying.