Cliftonville to Commence Irish Cup Title Defense Against Banbridge Rangers

Cliftonville is scheduled to commence its Irish Cup title defense in a fifth-round match against Banbridge Rangers, a Mid Ulster Intermediate A team, at Solitude during January. The Reds secured the trophy last season by defeating Linfield in the final, marking their first win since 1979. Conversely, Banbridge Rangers will participate in the fifth round for the first time, having advanced by overcoming Queen’s University in the preceding round. The draw did not result in any matchups exclusively between Premiership teams. However, it did set up two derby games: Annagh United will host their Mid Ulster neighbors Portadown, and H&W Welders will welcome their east Belfast rivals Glentoran. Nathan Rooney, the newly appointed manager for Larne, will lead his team to face Limavady United. Elsewhere, Linfield is set to host Wellington Rec, and Coleraine will play Armagh City at home. Ards, notable for their upset victory over Crusaders in the previous year’s fifth round, are slated to visit Ballymena United. Meanwhile, Crusaders will compete against the victor of the fourth-round fixture involving Knockbreda and Banbridge Town. Stephen Baxter, a manager who previously secured four Irish Cups during his tenure as Crusaders’ boss, will make his debut managing Carrick in this competition, facing Newry City at home. Bangor, currently leading the Championship, will host Newington. Institute is scheduled to play Loughgall, Belfast Celtic will host Moyola Park, and Glenavon will be at home against Dundela. The winner of the fourth-round match between Islandmagee and Ballymacash Rangers, which is scheduled for this weekend, will proceed to host Ballinamallard United. These matches are slated to be contested on the weekend of January 3-4. Annagh Utd v Portadown Bangor v Newington Carrick Rangers v Newry City Linfield v Wellington Rec Dollingstown v Ballyclare Comrades Coleraine v Armagh City Limavady Utd v Larne Dungannon Swifts v Rathfriland Rangers Knockbreda/Banbridge Town v Crusaders Institute v Loughgall Islandmagee/Ballymacash v Ballinamallard Ballymena Utd v Ards Cliftonville v Banbridge Rangers Belfast Celtic v Moyola Park Glenavon v Dundela H&W Welders v Glentoran