Creagh and Raheny are ready for Bristol Champions League challenge

Less than a week to the big occasion, Raheny United are set to host UEFA Champions League football in Richmond Park, Dublin on October 9th at 7.30pm against English FA WSL side Bristol Academy. The game marks the first of two legs of the UEFA Women’s Champions League round of 32.

Both sides had a tough fixture in the past weekend. Raheny United faced local league title hopefuls UCD Waves in a highly anticipated game. It was Raheny who won bragging rights on this occasion with a 3 -1 win. A second hat trick in two weeks for Irish U19’s star Katie McCabe sealed the 3 points for the Panda’s and kept their 100% form as they sit atop of the Continental Tyres Women's National League table with 9 points.

Bristol on the other hand needed a point in order to remain in top flight football for another season. Bristol played newcomers Manchester City and secured all 3 points through a first half header from Captain Corinne Yorston. Yorston’s first half goal proved to be vital to separate the two sides, as Bristol moved into 5th spot in the league table ahead of Manchester City.

Prior to facing each other on Thursday, both teams have one more fixture today (Saturday) before the big game. Bristol Academy are at home versus Notts County in their final home game of the season this Saturday evening October 4th. Whilst Raheny host Wexford Youths on the same evening in the FAI Women's Senior Cup at AUL Complex at 7.45pm.

Extratime.ie spoke to Raheny United’s Captain Rebecca Creagh and she had the following to say “Atmosphere is great around the team, we have a big game today versus Wexford Youth's and this is the main focus at the moment. Obviously we have Champions League on Thursday and that is always going to be in the back of the mind also."

Raheny's qualifiers took place in Romania which meant a lot of the squads families have never experienced a Champions League game for Raheny in person. Rebecca stated "it will be a special night to have our family and friends there to support us".

The Raheny captain also spoke about the importance of support in their first leg of the two matches versus Bristol. It would be great for all football fans and players to unite on the night to support Raheny United and it would also be great for people to see "the standard of the women's game" here in Ireland.

You can follow all the UEFA Champions League build up and match day action here on ExtraTime.ie including live match updates. Tickets for the game are available on the night at the gate with admission at Adults €5 and Kids/Students €2.