A third corner in the opening five minutes for the hosts.

Can they make this one count?

First sight on goal for Joe Gormley, who heads over the crossbar after getting on the end of Taylor Steven's inviting cross.

All Cliftonville so far.

Carrick Rangers have the first clear cut chance of the game as Ethan Boyle's inviting cross finds Paul Heatley six yards out from goal. He should do better with the chance, but his shot goes wide of the post.

Gael Bigirimana with the first chance of the game, but he can't keep his effort from outside the box on target.

Early pressure from the hosts who force two corners in the opening minute.

Good defending from the visitors though.

We're underway at Windsor Park after a touching tribute to former Linfield player Michael Newberry, as well as a perfectly observed minutes silence in memory of former Wellington Rec player Bradley Gracey, former Glenavon Chairman Adrian Tier and Michael Newberry.

Larne's Conor McKendry gets us underway at a crisp Limavady Showgrounds after an impeccably observed minute's silence in memory of Michael Newberry and Adrian Deer who both sadly passed away recently.

The away side kick-off at Solitude as the holders get their Irish Cup defence underway.

Referee Gareth Stewart starts the action at a bitterly cold Ballymena Showgrounds.

It’s a first Irish Cup meeting between these sides since 2010 when Ballymena prevailed after a replay. That scenario won’t happen this time around – today’s meeting will be played to a finish.

Ards sprang a surprise at this stage last season when they knocked out Crusaders on penalties. Can they upset Premiership opposition again today?

We're under way at the Bluebell Stadium.

We're under way at Stangmore Park.

Can Premier Intermediate side Rathfriland cause an upset this afternoon?

Following an impeccably observed minute's silence in memory of Michael Newberry and Adrian Teer, Carrick Rangers get us underway at Taylors Avenue.

And we're off here at Clandeboye Park.

A late replacement on the substitutes bench for Bangor sees Caomhan McGuinness drop out and he is replaced by two-time Irish Cup winner Michael Halliday, who at 45 will be looking forward to making some history with a goalscoring appearance today.

A poignant tribute to Michael Newberry ahead of kick-off with a minute's applause after his tragic passing earlier this week and wreaths laid by both clubs.

We are underway here on the Tandragee Road on referee Mark Dillon's whistle!

Portadown have been forced into a last minute change at the back as Lewis MacKinnon has pulled up in the warmup. In comes Dougie Wilson while Ross Redman is now on the bench.

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.

Read more of our Irish Cup fifth round preview here.

Image source, Inpho

Cliftonville make a handful of changes from their Boxing Day defeat against Crusaders.

Aaron Pettifer, Odhran Casey, Stephen McGuinness and Ryan Corrigan come in for Ryan Curran, Michael Glynn and Harry Wilson.

Cliftonville: Ridd, Addis, Pettifer, Kearney, Hale, Piesold, Gormley, Casey, Steven, McGuinness, Corrigan.

Subs: Odumosu, Curran, Ojo, Lowe, Wilson, Berry, Hawthorne.

Banbridge Rangers: Pauley, Brown, Baid, Smyth, Gilchrist, McCrum, Gill, Purdy, McMaster, Copes, McCullough.

Subs: Elliott, Gilchrist, McCracken, Gilmore, Rice, McKinstry, Mallen.

Irish Cup success has eluded these two sides in recent history.

Ards’ last triumph came back in 1974 – when they beat today’s opponents in the final – while Ballymena haven’t lifted the coveted trophy since 1989, although the Sky Blues have lost in the final on four occasions in the last decade.

Ballymena make three changes from the side which lost to Glenavon on Monday night.

There’s a debut for former Derry City captain Patrick McEleney, Danny Lafferty returns from suspension and Joe Moore also starts. Sean Brown and Kym Nelson are suspended after being red-carded in that defeat, while Alex Gawne also drops out.

Ards ended 2024 with a league defeat by Dundela on New Year’s Eve and manager John Bailie rings the changes from that game.

Marc Matthews, Max Greer, Ciaran Dobbin and Bobby Deane all come in and defender Kyle Calderwood starts for the first time after returning from a lengthy knee injury.

Ballymena United: O’Neill, Rocks, McCallion, O’Donnell, Lafferty, Jarvis, Carson, McEleney, Scott, Moore, Kennedy.

Subs: Johnston, Gawne, O’Mahony, Loughran, McMurray, Devine, Hood.

Ards: Matthews, Greer, Arthur, E Scannell, Dobbin, McCart, Simpson, Steele, Deane, Newell, Calderwood.

Subs: Gibbons, Maxwell, Cafolla, C Scannell, Tipton, Alfred, Quinn.