BBC to stream Glentoran v Linfield Irish Cup tiepublished at 16:34 6 January
16:34 6 January
Image source, Inpho
The Irish Cup sixth-round Big Two derby between Glentoran and Linfield at the Oval will be streamed live on the BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website.
The game takes place at 19:45 GMT on Friday, 31 January.
The Glens will be aiming to take a further step towards a first Irish Cup success since 2020 and a 24th in their history while the Blues secured the last of their record 44 wins in the competition in 2021.
The east Belfast side have won three of the four meetings between the sides this season, with their Boxing Day encounter ending in a draw.
Linfield beat Wellington Rec 4-0 in the fifth round while Glentoran came from behind to see off east Belfast rivals H&W Welders 4-2.
Former NI goalkeeper Mannus joins Larne as goalkeeper coachpublished at 10:56 6 January
10:56 6 January
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Mannus won nine caps for Northern Ireland
Former Northern Ireland goalkeeper Alan Mannus has been appointed goalkeeper coach at Irish Premiership champions Larne.
Mannus, who won nine caps for his country, replaces Alan Blayney who served as the club's goalkeeper coach for five years.
The 42-year-old previously worked as goalkeeping coach educator for the Irish FA after retiring from playing in 2023.
He started his career with Linfield and had two stints at League of Ireland side Shamrock Rovers either side of seven years with St Johnstone in Scotland.
Mannus won four Irish Premiership titles and four Irish Cups with the Blues, a Scottish Cup with St Johnstone and six league titles with Rovers as well as an FAI Cup.
He was handed his Northern Ireland debut in 2004 against Trinidad and Tobago and was part of Michael O'Neill's squad for the Euro 2016 finals in France.
Larne are ninth in the league table, 22 points behind leaders Linfield with six games in hand.
They travel to Seaview to take on Crusaders on Tuesday night.
'It's essential to get a reaction' - Seaton on cup tiepublished at 09:38 6 January
09:38 6 January
Image source, Pacemaker Press
Image caption,
Ballymena and Glentoran meet in the BetMcLean Cup quarter-finals on Tuesday before facing off in the Irish Premiership on Saturday
Ballymena United assistant manager Stefan Seaton says that it is "essential to get a reaction" from his side in Tuesday night's BetMcLean Cup tie against Glentoran.
The Sky Blues exited the fifth round of the Irish Cup on Saturday after a shock 2-1 defeat by Championship Ards.
They beat the Glens in a league encounter earlier this season before losing against the east Belfast side in the County Antrim Shield
And Seaton is urging Ballymena's players to respond to the disappointment of their Irish Cup exit by booking their place in the semi-finals of the BetMcLean Cup.
"It's essential to get a reaction and it is good the game comes so quick on Tuesday night and there's something else to play for," he told BBC Sport NI.
"We finished Saturday's game so strongly, so hopefully we carry that into the next game and get a positive result."
Glentoran boss Declan Devine confirmed that new signings Ciaran Coll, Christie Pattison and Shane McEleney will be in contention to make their debuts against the Sky Blues.
The Glens progressed to the sixth round of the Irish Cup with a hard-fought 4-2 win against H&W Welders on Friday night as they extended their unbeaten record in all competitions to eight games.
But Devine knows that the game at the Ballymena Showgrounds will be another difficult assignment for his in-form team.
"It's a really tough game, they're a good side, they have a lot of talented players in their ranks and going there it is a difficult venue," he said.
"We need to do our jobs as best we can."
Irish Cup exit 'reality check' for Portadown - Adamspublished at 10:06 5 January
10:06 5 January
Media caption,
Highlights: Annagh stun Ports to reach Irish Cup sixth round
Portadown assistant manager Clifford Adams says his side are "bitterly disappointed" with Saturday's Irish Cup exit at the hands of Annagh United.
James Teelan scored early on for Portadown against the Championship side, but Annagh came roaring back through Ryan Swan, Jack Evans and Stephen Murray.
Steven McCullough pulled a goal back to set up a tense finish, but Annagh held on to defeat their derby rivals.
Adams admitted the defeat and manner of goals conceded was "out of character" from a Portadown side who have the joint-third best defensive record in the Irish Premiership.
"To concede the goals we did was hugely disappointing," said Adams.
"It gives you a reality check and it gives the boys a reality check.
"It's hugely disappointing. We're all going home fuming, if I'm honest with you.
"The players are gutted and the fans are gutted. But we can't feel sorry for ourselves and we'll batter on to face Loughgall on Saturday."
In their first season back in the top flight, Niall Currie's side are fourth in the table while Loughgall are rooted to the bottom.
'Helter-skelter cup football at its best' - Baxterpublished at 22:36 4 January
22:36 4 January
Image source, Pacemaker
Image caption,
Stephen Baxter's side had drawn 0-0 in their past three matches before beating Newry City 4-3
Carrick Rangers manager Stephen Baxter says his side's 4-3 Irish Cup fifth-round win over Championship side Newry City at Taylors Avenue was "helter-skelter cup football at its best".
The Premiership team trailed 2-0 before the 20-minute mark courtesy of goals from Lorcan Forde and Ryan McNickle.
In the space of five manic minutes, the sides then traded four goals. Nedas Maciulaitis fired home his side's opener on 27 minutes before turning provider for Seanan Clucas to level the game two minutes later.
Within 60 seconds, Newry were back in front when debutant Jamie Doran bundled home Forde's cross, but their lead was short-lived, as Danny Gibson made it 3-3 at the other end.
Luke McCullough scored the winning goal four minutes into the second half.
"Both teams went at it, both teams were here to try and play football, try to score goals," Baxter told BBC Sport NI after Saturday's game.
"We've had three 0-0 draws in our past three league games so I said to the team today, 'let's have a go at this', so we attacked the box.
"For me too many defensive errors though. The goals were soft, particularly the second and third goals for them, so that was disappointing from our point of view."
The former Crusaders boss praised the approach of his opponents.
"Newry put it up to us and fair play to them for doing that. They came to have a right good go and I like that. That's the way the game should be played.
"But we didn't panic in the game. We were 2-0 down and 3-2 down but we still won the game 4-3 and to be fair we missed four chances at the end of the game that on any given day we should really score."
Ballymena undone by 'individual errors' - Seatonpublished at 22:09 4 January
22:09 4 January
Image source, PACEMAKER
Image caption,
Ards keeper Marc Matthews punches the ball clear during Saturday's match
Ballymena United assistant manager Stefan Seaton says individual errors led to the shock 2-1 defeat by Ards in the Irish Cup.
The Championship visitors led 2-0 at the break thanks to goals from Lee Newell and Aidan Steele.
Ethan Devine pulled one back for the Premiership side at the Showgrounds but Ards held on to make the sixth round.
"Full credit to Ards, they've taken their chances, they were much better in the moments that mattered in the game, especially in the first half," said Seaton.
"We started the game like we wanted to, took the game to them but it's individual errors that cost you - you don't take chances in your own half on that type of pitch.
"You've got to cut down on individual errors and then when the ball's at the other end you need to show that calmness, coolness - show that bit of quality when you can aim, get it where it needs to be and get back in the game. We didn't do that enough."
Seaton added that it will be a time for reflection after going out of the Irish Cup at the first hurdle.
"Today was not about decisions or the pitch - it was about something different and we need to look at ourselves because again it's individual errors.
"Football games are by and large won in both boxes. We didn't defend our box well enough and we didn't attack their box in quality moments when we should have done."
'A brilliant day for the club' - Bailie on Ards victorypublished at 21:22 4 January
21:22 4 January
Image source, PACEMAKER
Image caption,
John Bailie applauds the Ards fans after the big upset at the Showgrounds
Ards manager John Bailie says he doesn't see the 2-1 win over Ballymena United in the Irish Cup as an upset.
Goals from Lee Newell and Aidan Steele gave the Championship side a 2-0 lead at the Showgrounds.
Ethan Devine pulled one back for the Premiership hosts but Ards held firm to earn a place in the sixth round.
"It's a brilliant day for the club - a difficult day, the pitch was difficult to play on," said Bailie.
"Any win in the Irish Cup is a massive day and we're really pleased to be in the sixth round.
"We haven't really saw it as an upset - that's not degrading Ballymena. We came here two months ago in the League Cup and lost 1-0. Truth be told we were unlucky to lose."
Ards, who sit seventh in the Championship, have been drawn away to Belfast Celtic or Moyola Park in the last 16.
"We've quite a few players missing and we've come here with our form in the league patchy but our performances have been very good - that's been frustrating for me as a manager.
"We've tried to drum into our players that against anyone we've quite a bit of quality in our squad.
"Ballymena threw the kitchen sink at us in the second half and I think we deserved our rewards today."
'We were clinical' - Annagh boss McGurgan on win over Portspublished at 21:08 4 January
21:08 4 January
Image source, Pacemaker
Image caption,
Annagh boss McGurgan thought his side deserved their 3-2 victory over Portadown
Annagh United manager Ciaran McGurgan said his side produced a "clinical" display in their "deserved" 3-2 Irish Cup fifth-round win over near neighbours Portadown at the BMG Arena on Saturday.
James Teelan gave the Premiership side an early lead but goals from Ryan Swan and Jack Evans saw their Championship opponents go in a goal to the good at half-time.
Stephen Murray extended Annagh's lead before Steven McCullough pulled one back for the visitors.
"The boys are obviously buzzing after it and overall I thought we deserved it," McGurgan told BBC Sport NI.
"I thought we were clinical, I thought we worked hard in the first half.
"Second half we knew Portadown were probably going to come out and have more possession and come at us but our centre-halves were unbelievable."
The Annagh boss added that the two-goal cushion afforded to them by ex-Ports striker Murray early in the second half gave them some breathing space.
"When our chances came we took them and 3-1 gave us that wee bit of a buffer and we naturally dropped back.
"The third goal was massive. It just gives you that wee extra goal. We knew it was going to be an onslaught and we were disappointed with the next goal we conceded.
"They did have a lot of possession in those last 10 minutes but our defence was absolutely outstanding, as were our midfielders and forwards holding the ball up as well."
Glens paired with Linfield in Irish Cup sixth round drawpublished at 18:00 4 January
18:00 4 January
Image source, Presseye
Image caption,
Linfield have yet to defeat Glentoran in four meetings this season
Glentoran have been drawn to face big Belfast rivals Linfield at the Oval in the draw for the sixth round of the Irish Cup.
The Glens will be aiming to take a further step towards a first Irish Cup success since 2020 and a 24th in their history while the Blues secured the last of their record 44 wins in the competition in 2021.
The east Belfast side has won three of the four meetings between the sides this season, with their Boxing Day encounter ending in a draw.
Dungannon Swifts will host Coleraine, while cup holders Cliftonville will take on either Glenavon or Dundela at Solitude.
Limavady United's reward for their giantkilling victory over Larne is a trip to Seaview to face 2022 and 2023 winners Crusaders.
Carrick Rangers will travel to Ferney Park to play Championship side Ballinamallard United, with Ards, conquerors of Ballymena United, away to the winner of the fifth round tie between Belfast Celtic and Moyola Park.
Annagh United, who saw off neighbours Portadown in round five, are away to Bangor and Dollingstown or Ballyclare Comrades will face Institute or Loughgall.
The ties will be played on Friday 31 January and Saturday 1 February.
Sixth round draw
Dollingstown/Ballyclare Comrades v Institute/Loughgall
Image source, Inpho
