Irish Cup Fifth Round Summary

Gary Twigg made it three goals in two games as he struck in either half to give Portadown a 2-1 win over Dungannon Swifts and ensure Ronnie McFall’s men safe passage to the sixth round where they will play Ards at home in Shamrock Park.

The fifth round provided few upsets with all the ties going the way of the favourites and only Premier League sides accounting for the top divisions other casualties, with Dungannon exiting at Portadown and Ballinamallard going out despite a battling performance against Cliftonville at Solitude.

Cliftonville took an early lead when Joe Gormley tapped home but Ballinamallard took advantage of some hesitancy in an experimental Reds defence and equalised soon after through Ryan Campbell with only six minutes on the clock. The visitors can then count themselves unlucky to go down to ten men when David Kee was sent off for two yellow cards and further unfortunate to concede a penalty when former Longford Town keeper, Alvin Rouse, was adjudged to bring down Joe Gormley with the striker running out of angle to get a shot on target.

Gormley calmly dispatched the resultant spot kick but the home side were made wait until late in the second half to put clear daylight between the teams when Liam Boyce showed great composure in the box to slot home for his 23^rd goal of the season. The former Werder Bremen striker soon made it 24 when he displayed great strength and skill to beat two defenders and earn his side a home tie against Donegal Celtic in the next round.

Crusaders and Linfield will have to do it all over again after an action packed game at Windsor Park were Crues were one up through Gary McCutcheon after only a minute played. Linfield responded well and took the lead through goals from Brian McCaul and Matthew Tipton before Johnny Black was red carded for the home side after a rash challenge on Aidan Watson.

Stephen Baxter’s side pushed hard for an equaliser in the second half and were rewarded when persistence paid off for Timmy Adamson when he reacted first after his acrobatic overhead kick was denied by Alan Blayney but the big striker pounced on the rebound to set up a replay between last year’s cup finalists.

Elsewhere Ballymena United will face Coleraine in the pick of the sixth round matches after defeating Warrenpoint Town and Lisburn Distillery went through with a 5-1 win over Coagh United, with Donegal Celtic 3-1 winners against Loughgall.

Glenavon trounced H&W Welders 5-1 at Mourneview Park and Glentoran defeated Killymoon Rangers 4-1, while Coleraine ran out easy 7-0 winners against Ballynahinch United. 

Irish Cup sixth round draw

Lisburn Distillery v Dundela

Cliftonville v Donegal Celtic

Bangor v Glentoran

Institute v Tobermore or Kilmore Rec.

Ballymena Utd v Coleraine

Linfield or Crusaders v Glenavon

Larne or Lurgan Celtic v Knockbreda

Portadown v Ards

Matches to be played on Saturday, 9 February