The semi-finals of this season’s Clearer Water Irish Cup will be staged at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park and Seaview, it was confirmed today.
Cup holders Cliftonville will take on Ards at the National Stadium on Friday 28 March at 7.45pm.
And the second semi-final between Bangor and Dungannon Swifts is set to be played at Seaview the following day, with a 5.30pm kick-off.
Both NIFL Premiership v NIFL Championship clashes in Belfast will be livestreamed by the BBC – on the BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport NI website.
Cliftonville booked their place in the last four with a 2-1 win over near neighbours Crusaders at Seaview on Saturday. Goals from Ryan Curran and Alex Parsons kept Jim Magilton’s side on course to retain the trophy. Harry Franklin netted for the Crues.
Championship outfit Ards defeated Premiership side Loughgall 2-0 on Saturday to progress to the latter stages of the competition. Goals from Michael Ruddy (penalty) and Eamon Scannell secured the win for John Bailie’s team at Clandeboye Park.
The same day Dungannon Swifts reached the semi-finals thanks to a fine 3-1 win against Carrick Rangers at Taylor’s Avenue in Carrickfergus. Carrick’s Danny Gibson opened the scoring, however second half goals from Andrew Mitchell and John McGovern (two) helped Rodney McAree’s team over the line.
Championship side Bangor arguably caused the biggest upset of the quarter-finals when they defeated Glentoran at Clandeboye Park on Friday night.
Lee Feeney’s team raced into a three-goal lead in the first half thanks to strikes from Ben Arthurs, Ben Cushnie and skipper Lewis Harrison. Glentoran pulled one back after the break through Charlie Lindsay but the Seagulls prevailed, winning the game on their home patch by three goals to one.
