Cup holders Cliftonville set for emotional Solitude return

Cliftonville boss Jim Magilton was among those to pay tribute to Michael Newberry following the defender's death

Irish Cup fifth round

Coverage: Listen to Sportsound on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Ulster and follow text updates and in-play clips on the BBC Sport website on Saturday

Cliftonville begin their Irish Cup defence on Saturday on what is sure to be an emotionally charged afternoon at Solitude following the death of defender Michael Newberry.

Newberry's sudden passing on 30 December at the age of 27 rocked the Irish League community, with Cliftonville's match against Dungannon Swifts and his former club Linfield's game with Larne both postponed as a mark of respect.

Following a flurry of touching tributes to Newberry from far and wide, the Reds are set to return to action when they host Banbridge Rangers in the fifth round of the cup, while Irish Premiership leaders Linfield take on Ballymena and Provincial Intermediate Football League outfit Wellington Rec at Windsor Park.

Earlier this week, Cliftonville confirmed Saturday's game would be preceded by a pre-match tribute to Newberry, who won the 2021 Irish Cup during his time with Linfield.

Having knocked out Queen's University, Mid Ulster Intermediate A side Banbridge Rangers are making their fifth-round debut, while Cliftonville prepare to make their first outing as holders after beating Linfield in last season's final to end a 45-year wait for their ninth Irish Cup.

It was likely to be a sombre affair at Mourneview Park, too, as Glenavon were set to play for the first time since the passing of their former chairman Adrian Teer.

Teer, who served the Lurgan club as a director for nearly 40 years, died on 31 December aged 79 following a long battle with illness.

Glenavon were set to host Championship side Dundela in a repeat of the famous 1955 final in which the east Belfast side produced one of the competition's all-time shocks to win their only Irish Cup.

The game was called off after a pitch inspection on Saturday morning.

The Irish Cup fifth-round action kicked off on Friday night as Glentoran recovered from a 2-1 deficit to see off H&W Welders 4-2 at Blanchflower Stadium.

Shocks may well feature in abundance as there are no all-Premiership encounters.

Crusaders v Knockbreda has been moved to Seaview in the sole early kick-off, Portadown are away to Mid Ulster rivals Annagh United, while Carrick Rangers, Ballymena United and Dungannon are home to Newry City, Ards and Rathfriland Rangers.

Larne travel to the north west to face Limavady United, while on the north coast Coleraine welcome Armagh City in a tie that pits Bannsiders boss Dean Shiels against his brother-in-law Shea Campbell, who is in charge of the Championship outfit.

That leaves two ties without Premiership representation as Ballymacash Rangers take on Ballinamallard United.

Finally, last season's surprise quarter-finalists Newington are on the road for a tie against Bangor.

Three ties have fallen victim to the cold weather. Belfast Celtic v Moyola Park, Institute v Loughgall as well as Dollingstown v Ballyclare Comrades have been postponed following pitch inspections on Saturday morning.

Irish Cup fifth round

Friday, 3 January (result)

H&W Welders 2-4 Glentoran

Saturday, 4 January (15:00 GMT unless stated)

Annagh Utd v Portadown

Bangor v Newington

Carrick Rangers v Newry City

Linfield v Wellington Rec

Dollingstown - P - Ballyclare Comrades

Coleraine v Armagh City

Limavady Utd v Larne

Dungannon Swifts v Rathfriland Rangers

Knockbreda v Crusaders (14:00, Seaview)

Institute - P - Loughgall

Ballymacash Rangers v Ballinamallard

Ballymena Utd v Ards

Cliftonville v Banbridge Rangers

Belfast Celtic - P - Moyola Park (13:30)

Glenavon - P - Dundela