The Samuel Gelston’s Whiskey Irish Cup is down to the last four following an exciting weekend of quarter-finals action.
Holders Crusaders continued their defence of the trophy courtesy of a narrow defeat of Glentoran at Seaview.
The only goal of the game came after half-an-hour when Jordan Forsythe tapped home the rebound from close range after Philip Lowry’s initial effort had come back off an upright.
The Crues will face Dungannon Swifts in the semi-finals after Dean Shiels’ side caused perhaps the surprise result of the weekend with a 2-1 victory over Cliftonville at Solitude.
Scoreless at the break, a Rhyss Campbell just before the hour put the Co. Tyrone side firmly in the driving seat.
Campbell opened the scoring on 56 minutes after meeting a cross from the right to nod past keeper Nathan Gartside before doubling up just a couple of minutes later after being teed up by Ethan McGee to clinically knock a second into the net.
The Reds did pull one back in stoppage time through Joe Gormley but it wasn’t enough to change the outcome.
Losing finalists last season, Ballymena United, needed extra-time to get past Ballyclare Comrades at Dixon Park.
The Championship side had led at the break through Caomhan McGuinness’ spectacular first time effort a few minutes from the break.
United pulled one back just after the hour thanks to skipper Josh Kelly, and thought they had bagged the winner late on only for David McDaid to see keeper Declan Breen save from the spot.
The Sky Blues did seize the advantage eight minutes into the extra-time, however, with another penalty – converted by Andrew McGrory – before McDaid redeemed himself with a third goal a few minutes from the end.
David Jeffrey’s side have been paired with Larne in the semi-finals after the Inver Reds had kicked the weekend off on Friday evening away to HW Welders with an Andy Ryan goal right at the end proving to be the difference between the sides.
On Friday night a late winner from Andy Ryan booked Larne's place in the last four with a 1-0 win over HW Welders.
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