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Ballymena undone by 'individual errors' - Seatonpublished at 22:09 4 January
22:09 4 January
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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
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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
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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
Four Irish Cup ties postponed following pitch inspectionspublished at 10:30 4 January
10:30 4 January
Image source, BBC Sport
Four Irish Cup fifth round ties have been postponed following pitch inspections on Saturday.
A yellow warning for ice was in place overnight for four counties in Northern Ireland.
Belfast Celtic v Moyola Park, Dollingstown v Ballyclare Comrades, Glenavon v Dundela and Institute v Loughgall have all been called off.
The postponed cup ties have been rescheduled for Tuesday, 14 January at 19:45 GMT.
The tie between Knockbreda and Crusaders has been moved from Breda Park to Seaview.
The game will kick off at 14:00 GMT in north Belfast with the decision taken to move venue following a pitch inspection at Breda Park on Saturday morning.
Ballymacash v Ballinamallard, Bangor v Newington and Dungannon Swifts v Rathfriland will all go ahead after pitch inspections on Saturday morning.
Devine praises 'character and desire' of Glenspublished at 22:49 3 January
22:49 3 January
Image source, Pacemaker
Image caption,
Declan Devine's team are unbeaten in eight matches in all competitions
Glentoran manager Declan Devine praised the character and desire of his side as they bounced back from a 2-1 deficit to see off Championship side H&W Welders 4-2 in the fifth round of the Irish Cup at Blanchflower Stadium.
James Singleton opened the scoring for the Premiership outfit but a double from Ewan McCoubrey saw the hosts rock their illustrious opponents by taking a shock lead in the east Belfast derby.
A David Fisher strike, a Lewis Patterson own goal and Frankie Hvid's goal ensured the Glens booked their passage into the last-16 stage of the competition.
"We weren't at our best tonight but we still went away from home and scored four goals," reflected Glentoran manager Declan Devine.
"We had a couple of good chances before we scored but I think we showed good character.
"I felt we played too many long balls early in the game and we were very wasteful with our final pass but the most important thing at this stage of the competition is that you're in the draw for the next round and I have to give credit to the players as they kept working and our attacking players came to the fore in the second half and showed real quality."
Devine acknowledged the role played by his substitutes on Friday night against a Welders side who impressed him.
"I'm disappointed with the goals we gave away but we had to dig in. Welders are a good side and they play a good brand of football and ask questions of you.
"In Josh Key I feel they had the outstanding player on the pitch, but credit to our lads. Our subs came off the bench and they gave us a fresh impetus in the game.
"The players showed really good levels of appetite and desire in the second half.
"We knew it was going to be a difficult game and that is what we got."
'We were magnificent' - Welders boss Kee on Glens defeatpublished at 22:45 3 January
22:45 3 January
Image source, PACEMAKER
Image caption,
Celebration time for the Welders after moving 2-1 in front against the Glens
H&W Welders manager Paul Kee praised his team despite losing 4-2 to Glentoran in the Irish Cup fifth-round tie at Blanchflower Stadium.
The Championship hosts led their east Belfast neighbours 2-1 before the in-form Glens fought back to secure victory.
James Singleton headed the visitors in front before a Ewan McCoubrey double put the Welders on course for a huge upset.
David Fisher levelled for the Premiership outfit and a Lewis Patterson own goal was followed by Frankie Hvid sealing Glentoran's place in the next round.
"I thought we were excellent - excellent in the first half, controlled large parts and again I thought we were excellent in the second half," said Kee.
"But we can't give goals away the way we did. The second, third and fourth [goals] were really disappointing individual errors.
"However, as a team I thought we were magificent - we moved the ball, passed the ball, played good football but they had a bit more nous and a bit more quality and that's where we lacked in individual moments.'
"I said to the boys 'how did we lose that match 4-2?'. They will be disappointed. It's a case of picking them back up but they will take heart from the performance."
Darren Murphy's Irish Cup fifth round predictionspublished at 17:51 3 January
17:51 3 January
Image source, BBC Sport
Image caption,
Darren Murphy offers his forecast for the Irish Cup fifth round ties
Harland & Wolff Welders v Glentoran (Friday, 19:45 BST, live on BBC iPlayer & BBC Sport website)
East Belfast derby. Welders will enjoy a big crowd there Friday night. Declan Devine has his team on a brilliant run of form, unbeaten in eight. You have to look at Glentoran progressing.
Prediction: 0-2 (result: 2-4)
Cliftonville v Banbridge Rangers (Saturday, 15:00 GMT, coverage on Sportsound on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Ulster)
Cliftonville winning their first Irish Cup in 40 years last year was brilliant for Jim Magilton, the staff and the players. Saturday will be a tough day after the sad passing of Michael [Newberry], but it'll be a day I'm sure all the NIFL football family and the Irish Football Association come together and respect the passing of a young man, and a very good footballer. Cliftonville will have too much for Banbridge on the pitch on what will be a very difficult day.
Prediction: 3-0
Glenavon v Dundela (Saturday, 15:00 GMT, coverage on Sportsound on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Ulster)
Paddy McLaughlin has got Glenavon in good form, they're coming in off the back of six massive points gathered over the Christmas period. I can't see anything other than a Glenavon win.
Prediction: 2-1
Coleraine v Armagh City (Saturday, 15:00 GMT, coverage on Sportsound on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Ulster)
It's a battle of the families! Shea Campbell being married to Dean Shiels' sister creates a family affair up in Coleraine. To be fair to Dean, Coleraine went to a difficult place on Saturday in Loughgall and got a good result. They'll be looking at the Irish Cup as an avenue where they can maybe get silverware.
Prediction 3-1
Dollingstown v Ballyclare Comrades (Saturday, 15:00 GMT, coverage on Sportsound on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Ulster)
I'm going to go for a shock here. I think Dollingstown will win. Obviously, with Stephen Small stepping down at Ballyclare, they'll be going into the game without a manager. There might be a wee bit of uncertainty with Ballyclare.
Prediction: 2-1
Ballymacash Rangers v Ballinamallard United (Saturday, 15:00 GMT, coverage on Sportsound on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Ulster)
Great game! I think it'll be the only game to go to extra time. Ballinamallard to win on penalties.
Ballymena United v Ards (Saturday, 15:00 GMT, coverage on Sportsound on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Ulster)
Another great game. Ballymena coming in off a poor run of form in the league. Ards have some really experienced players.
Prediction: 2-1
Annagh United v Portadown (Saturday, 15:00 GMT, coverage on Sportsound on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Ulster)
Prediction 1-2
Bangor v Newington (Saturday, 15:00 GMT, coverage on Sportsound on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Ulster)
Prediction: 2-0
Carrick Rangers v Newry City (Saturday, 15:00 GMT, coverage on Sportsound on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Ulster)
Prediction: 2-0
Linfield v Wellington Rec (Saturday, 15:00 GMT, coverage on Sportsound on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Ulster)
Prediction 4-0
Limavady United v Larne (Saturday, 15:00 GMT, coverage on Sportsound on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Ulster)
Prediction: 1-3
Dungannon Swifts v Rathfriland Rangers (Saturday, 15:00 GMT, coverage on Sportsound on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Ulster)
Prediction: 3-0
Knockbreda v Crusaders (Saturday, 15:00 GMT, coverage on Sportsound on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Ulster)
Prediction: 0-3
Institute v Loughgall (Saturday, 15:00 GMT, coverage on Sportsound on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Ulster)
Prediction: 1-2
Belfast Celtic v Moyola Park (Saturday, 15:00 GMT, coverage on Sportsound on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Ulster)
Prediction: 1-0
Darren Murphy will be on commentary alongside Michael Hammond for Annagh United v Portadown at the BMG Arena as part of Sportsound's coverage of the Irish Cup.
You can listen to Sportsound on BBC Radio Ulster, BBC Sounds and on the BBC Sport website from 14:00 BST on Saturday for all the latest from the Irish Cup, with the sixth-round draw taking place on the programme.
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