Lowry excited for 'blood and thunder' Caernarfon tie

Crusaders midfield Philip Lowry believes their Europa Conference League first qualifying round first leg against Caernarfon Town will be "like an Irish League game."

The Crues travel to Wales for the first leg of the tie in what will be Caernarfon's first ever European game.

Lowry thinks that the two sides will be at a similar level, meaning that both will fancy their chances of progressing.

"It will be blood and thunder and very physical, they will be more than ready for us, so it's a tie we're really looking forward to," he told BBC Sport NI.

Progressing of 'paramount importance' - Tuffey

Like Crusaders, Caernarfon came through a play-off to reach Europa Conference League qualifying and Lowry agrees with the idea that his side go into the game as slight favourites.

"From the outside it probably looks like that [Crusaders being favourites] but when the draw was made, I'm sure they were rubbing their hands," he added.

His teammate Jonny Tuffey admits that Crusaders have been handed a favourable draw with the carrot dangling in front of them of a glamour tie against Legia Warsaw to come if the Polish side and the Crues progress.

"You would [say it is a winnable tie] without being disrespectful and that adds to the excitement of it," he said.

"We have the incentive of what is coming next potentially, but for now it is an incentive it will be two difficult legs and we have to be at our best."

Tuffey hopes that having a number of players who have played in European games in Crusaders' squad will aid them against their Welsh opposition, who he knows will be hoping to savour the occasion.

"We have the experience in our squad of those who have played in big European ties and then the excitement for them playing in their first European tie at home will give them that added bonus they're looking for," he explained.

Tuffey continued: "We need to navigate through that and the most important thing is getting back to Seaview and still being in the tie.

"I think progressing is of paramount importance with the financial rewards for the sustainability of the club going forward."

Reminiscing on Rosenborg

Both Lowry and Tuffey were involved in the tie against Rosenborg last year, when Crusaders went agonisingly close to a historic win.

Stephen Baxter's side held the 26-time Norwegian champions to a 2-2 draw at Seaview in the first leg of their Europa Conference League second qualifying tie.

They were then edged out 3-2 after extra-time in the second leg with Paul Heatley sent off.

Lowry scored in both legs and highlights those two games as some of the most memorable during his distinguished career.

"It was probably one of the best matches we played out there and to score in both legs, it was amazing," he said.

"It seemed like we were going to do it and it all unravelled very quickly for us with the red card and a sucker punch goal in the end."