Glentoran manager Declan Devine said "the players deserve all the credit" after his side edged out Linfield 2-1 after extra-time in a dramatic Irish Cup sixth round tie at the Oval which saw three players sent-off.

Jordan Jenkins opened the scoring for the Glens on 53 minutes before Chris McKee equalised for the Blues on 72.

Momentum swung in Glentoran's favour when Joel Cooper was sent off in extra-time for kicking out at Jonny Russell on the ground.

Substitute Finley Thorndike marked his introduction with a sweet strike from outside the area to seal the hard-fought victory for the Glens.

Linfield's Chris Shields and Glentoran's Joe Thomson were then dismissed late in extra-time after both received second yellow cards.

"This was a very important game for us against our biggest rivals who are in incredible form themselves," said Devine.

"To be as disciplined as were were, we weren't pretty by any stretch but we worked our hearts out.

"The players deserve all the credit. They've bought in to what it takes to play for the club."

Image source, Presseye

Glentoran booked their place in the Irish Cup quarter-finals as they beat Big Two rivals Linfield 2-1 after extra-time with substitute Finley Thorndike scoring a fine winner at the Oval.

After a dull first period, Jordan Jenkins opened the scoring for the Glens on 53 minutes before Chris McKee equalised for the Blues on 72 minutes.

Momentum swung in Glentoran's favour when Joel Cooper was sent off in extra-time for kicking out at Jonny Russell on the ground.

Substitute Thorndike marked his introduction with a sweet strike from outside the area to seal the hard-fought victory for the Glens, who have won four and drawn one of their five meetings against the Blues this season.

Linfield's Chris Shields and Glentoran's Joe Thomson were then dismissed late in extra-time after both received second yellow cards.

Despite falling to Linfield in midweek, Crusaders manager Declan Caddell makes just one change this afternoon with Josh O'Connor coming in for Harry Franklin.

That means that Ross Clarke, who was replaced against The Blues despite netting the equaliser, returns to the first team.

An interesting sub-plot to today's Sixth Round tie is Crusaders' captain Philip Lowry coming into direct competition with his brother, Stephen, who skippers the Limavady United side.

Paul Owens' men sit second in the Championship but have proven their ability to mix it with the top teams having delivered the shock of Round Five when defeating back-to-back Premiership champions Larne in extra-time.

Ruairi Boomer was the hero of the hour and he starts today, as do John Butcher and Ian Parkhill who were on target during their 4-0 win over Dundela last week. Parkhill replaces Graham Crown who drops to the bench today, while Adam Mullan gets the nod over Michael McCrudden who was another among the goals a week ago.

Crusaders: Tuffey, Lowry, Jewitt-White, Blaney, Forsythe, O'Rourke, Larmour, Smith, O'Connor, Clarke, Nixon.

Subs: Brown, Callacher, Williamson, Owens, Franklin, Barr, Downey.

Limavady United: Gallagher, Morrow, T Boorman, Lowry, Parkhill, Tosh, McCloskey, R Boorman, Butcher, Mullan, Walker.

Subs: McAuley, Crown, McCrudden, McKinney, Whiteside, McCready, Martin.

Two teams familiar with one another - after all they met in a league game just seven days ago - go head-to-head at Stangmore Park.

Last Saturday's encounter ended all square following a 1-1 draw but we will have a winner one way or another this afternoon.

Swifts manager Rodney McAree makes three changes to his team from last weekend as Tomas Galvin and James Knowles drop to the bench, with Brandon Bermingham ruled out because of an injury picked up in the midweek Mid Ulster Cup win over Loughgall.

Leo Alves returns after suspension while there are also recalls for Kealan Dillon and Coleraine native Bobby-Jack McAleese.

Bannsiders boss Dean Shiels opts for just the one change to his starting XI as Jamie McGonigle replaces former Swifts winger Rhyss Campbell, who takes his place among the replacements.

Scottish striker Declan McManus, signed on Friday from Welsh club The New Saints, has to be content with a place on the bench following his switch.

Dungannon Swifts: Dunne, Scott, Curry (c), McGovern, Dillon, Alves, Glenny, McAleese, Wallace, Mitchell, Bigirimana.

Subs: Henderson, King, Knowles, Boyd, Galvin, Maguire, Hutchinson.

Coleraine: Brown, Kane (c), Jarvis, Boyle, Shevlin, Murray, McClelland, Glackin, McGonigle, Ives, Doherty.

Subs: Little, Campbell, Scott, Burns, McClintock, Smith, McManus.

There are four changes to the Cliftonville side who were beaten 2-1 by Linfield last week with Arran Pettifer, Destiny Ojo, Odhran Casey and Harry Wilson starting.

Micheal Glynn, Axel Piesold and Ryan Curran drop to the bench with Conor Pepper not in today's squad.

Paddy McLaughlin sticks with the same starting XI who defeated Carrick Rangers in a dramatic game at Mourneview last weekend.

Centre-back Harry Murphy, who joined the Lurgan Blues on loan from Derry City midweek, is amongst the substitutes.

Cliftonville: Odumosu, Addis, Pettifer, Kearney, Hale, Ojo, Conlan, Gormley, Casey, Keaney, Wilson.

Subs: Ridd, Curran, Lowe, Piesold, Glynn, McGuinness, Corrigan.

Glenavon: Byrne, Toure, McKeown, Quinn, O’Sullivan, Snoddy, Malone, Atherton, Campbell, McDaid, O’Connor.

Subs: Ryan, Marshall, Doona, Baird, Murphy, Carlin, McGovern.

Good afternoon and welcome to our coverage of what promises to be an exciting Irish Cup sixth round day.

Last night's 'Big Two' encounter certainly delivered drama aplenty to kick off the weekend action and we have seven ties up for decision today to complete the line-up for the quarter-finals.

There are two all-Premiership ties, both of which look very hard to call on present form. Dungannon Swifts host Coleraine while holders Cliftonville are at home to Glenavon.

Elsewhere, basement side Loughgall face a potential 'banana skin' away to Dollingstown, Crusaders will be wary of suffering an upset as they entertain Limavady United, Championship leaders Bangor are at home to Annagh United, Moyola Park host Ards and Carrick Rangers are away to Ballinamallard United.

We'll have our usual menu of text updates, audio coverage courtesy of Radio Ulster's Sportsound, in-play clips and highlights, plus live streamed coverage of the quarter-final draw after all today's ties have been decided.

And as if that wasn't enough, we'll follow it up with coverage of the 17;30 GMT kick-off in the Irish Premiership - Larne v Portadown.

Stay with us to enjoy all the drama as it unfolds. You won't miss a thing.