An all-Premiership clash between Cliftonville and Coleraine will kick-start the quarter-final stage of this season’sSamuel Gelston’s Whiskey Irish Cup.
The Danske Bank Premiership sides are due to meet at Solitude tonight ahead of three other ties tomorrow.
Cliftonville, who have not won the trophy since 1979, will be keen to end their Irish Cup hoodoo and take their league form into the game. They are currently second in the table, just a point behind leaders Glentoran, after an impressive season to date.
By their recent standards Coleraine, who defeated the Reds in the 2018 cup final, have had a slightly disappointing season so far, sitting mid-table, however Oran Kearney’s side are capable of beating any other team in the top flight on their day.
And both sides will also be keen to lay down a marker ahead of meeting each other again in the Bet McLean League Cup final on 13 March at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park.
Tonight’s encounter between the Reds and the Bannsiders is set to be streamed live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport NI website. It’s scheduled to kick off at 7.45.
The three other ties in the last eight look pretty tasty, too.
Among them is a derby clash between Ballymena United and Larne at the Ballymena Showgrounds.
Larne, who were beaten finalists last year and are currently sitting fourth in the league, have already won the Co Antrim Shield this season and would love to get their hands on more silverware.
Ballymena, who were defeated in the decider the previous year, have had a steady season so far - they are seventh in the Premiership - and will be doing all they can to stop their Co Antrim rivals in their tracks.
Crusaders, who won the trophy as recently as 2019, are due to host Dungannon Swifts in the other all-Premiership tie tomorrow.
And there’s also a clash of the league leaders to look forward to. Glentoran, currently topping the Danske Bank Premiership standings, are hosting the only Championship side in the quarters, Newry City, who are also leading the way in their division.
All the games tomorrow (5 March) kick off at 3pm.
