A NIFL Premiership v NIFL Championship clash will kick off the fifth round of this season’sSamuel Gelston’s Whiskey Irish Cup later today.
The match between Dundela, who currently lie third in the Lough 41 Championship, and the Reds, who are strong contenders in the race for the Premiership title, is due to kick off at 7.45 tonight at Dundela’s Wilgar Park stadium in east Belfast.
Since the draw for round five was made in early December, Dundela have seen four players move on to the top flight. Eamon Fyfe has joined Coleraine, while Chrissie Rodgers, Eoghan McCawl and Lee Chapman have all followed former Duns boss Niall Currie to his new club, Portadown.
During the same period Cliftonville have moved up from fourth in the Danske Bank Premiership to sit level on points alongside Larne at the summit.
Having lost so many personnel in the January transfer window, it’s a tough ask for the Duns to clip the wings of the high flying Reds, however cup football often throws up shock results.
Tonight’s David v Goliath clash between Dundela and Cliftonville is to be streamed live on the BBC Sport NI website. Coverage will begin as kick-off approaches.
And the game at ‘The Hen Run’ will pave the way for a feast of cup football this weekend, with the remaining 15 matches in the fifth round due to be played tomorrow.
Cup holders Crusaders, who lie fourth in the Premiership just three points behind the leaders, are set to welcome Championship side Dergview to Seaview.
Premiership leaders Larne are also at home. Intermediate side Crumlin United, from the Amateur League’s Premier Division, will be the visitors to Inver Park.
Ballymena United, beaten finalists last season, are set to feature in the only all-Premiership tie of the round. They will be taking on Mid and East Antrim rivals Carrick Rangers away from home.
There are several other Premiership v Championship clashes in the last 32, including Linfield at home to Warrenpoint Town, Newry City (h) v Harland and Wolff Welders, Ballinamallard United (h) v Glenavon, Coleraine (h) against Championship leaders Loughgall and Dungannon Swifts hosting Ards.
The one all-Championship tie will see Co Armagh outfit Annagh United, who are currently second in the league, travel to the North-West to take on Institute.
NIFL Premier Intermediate team Moyola Park are set to face Glentoran at home, while another NIFL Premier Intermediate outfit, Banbridge Town, have a derby tie at home against Portadown to look forward to.
Championship v intermediate ties include Ballyclare Comrades versus Dollingstown (NIFL Premier Intermediate), Newington v Ballymoney United (Ballymena and Provincial League Intermediate Section) and Knockbreda against Portadown-based St Mary’s YC (Mid-Ulster League Intermediate A).
And there’s one all-intermediate clash, with Bangor (NIFL third tier) welcoming Tandragee Rovers (Mid-Ulster League Intermediate A) to Co Down.
Round five of the Irish Cup is traditionally the stage where the 12 teams that make up the NIFL Premiership and the 12 teams in the NIFL Championship enter the competition alongside eight intermediate sides who have already battled their way through four rounds.
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