AHEAD of Newtown's big UEFA Conference clash against Dundalk the County Times takes a closer look at the Irish giants.

The squad is packed with talent and European experience and will go into the tie as strong favourites.

The County Times highlights seven of their stars who will be expected to feature in the ties against the Robins

Alessio Abibi - goalkeeper

The 24-year-old Italian born Albanian international will likely be the man between the sticks.

He signed for the League of Ireland Premier Division side in January following the departure of both Gary Rogers and Aaron McCarey.

Abibi made his competitive debut for the club in the 2021 President's Cup which his side won 4–3 on penalties after a 1–1 draw with Abibi preventing three Shamrock Rovers players from scoring in the shootout to win the trophy.

Andy Boyle - defender

County Times: Andy Boyle.

The 30-year-old has previously played for UCD and Shelbourne, Scottish club Dundee and English club Preston North End.

Boyle was the team's vice-captain and was part of the first Irish side to reach the play-off round of the UEFA Champions League in August 2016 and qualified for the Europa League group stages.

Boyle also played regularly in 2020–21 UEFA Europa League group stage.

Sonni Nattestad - defender

County Times: Sonni Ragnar Nattestad. Picture by EileenSanda

The 26-year-old defender is a Faroes Islands international with past experience at Norwegian side Molde and Danish club Midtjylland.

He made his competitive debut for the club in the 2021 President's Cup against league champions Shamrock Rovers in March, scoring before being sent off as his side went on to win on penalties.

Wilifred Zahibo - midfielder

County Times: Wilifred Zahobo. Picture by Werner100359.

The 27-year-old Central African Republic international represented Valencia in Spain before a career in America with New England Revolution and Houston Dynamo, earning a place in the MLS All Star team in 2018.

The Marseille born star joined Dundalk in April.

Sean Murray - midfielder

County Times: Sean Murray. Picture by Franziska.

Murray progressed through the academy at Watford and broke into the first-team in 2011.

He went on to make 85 first team appearances for the club before being loaned to Wigan Athletic early in the 2015–16 season.

He left Watford at the end of the season to join Swindon Town and then joined Colchester United in January 2017.

He left Colchester in summer 2018 and joined Danish Superliga side Vejle Boldklub before joining Dundalk a year later

The 27-year-old has represented the Republic of Ireland at under-17, under-19 and under-21 levels.

Patrick McEleney - midfielder

County Times: Patrick McEleney.

Patrick McEleney previously played for Sunderland, his hometown club Derry City and Oldham Athletic. McEleney has represented Dundalk and Derry City in European competition.

The 28-year-old scored the winning penalty in the 2020 Europa League third qualifying round against Sheriff Tiraspol helping Dundalk qualify for the 2020–21 UEFA Europa League group stage

David McMillan - Striker

The 32-year-old has previously played for UCD, St Patrick's Athletic, Sligo Rovers, St Johnstone, Hamilton Academical and Falkirk.

He is currently the League of Ireland's all-time leading scorer in the UEFA Champions League and was joint top-scorer in the 2016–17 UEFA Champions League qualifying phase and play-off round