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Monday 05 Feb 2024
Four Premiership v Championship clashes in Irish Cup last eight

The four remaining NIFL Premiership teams in the Clearer Water Irish Cup have been kept apart in the quarter-finals – and they will all be playing Championship teams.

The draw for the last eight has paired reigning league champions Larne with Newington.

And the game will be played on a ground familiar to both teams: Inver Park.

Inver is, of course, home to Larne FC, however north Belfast-based Newington have been playing their home games there of late.

Larne reached the quarter-finals after defeating fellow Premiership side Glenavon 5-0 at home in round six on Saturday, while Newington edged out Premiership side Newry City at The Showgrounds in Newry by two goals to one.

Current Premiership leaders Linfield face a trip to Derry-Londonderry in the last eight after they secured a 2-0 win over Ballymena United, who were finalists last year. Their opponents in the North-West will be Institute, who eased past fellow Championship side Ards by a goal to nil at the Brandywell in round six.

Glentoran hit NIFL Premier Intermediate League side Ballymacash Rangers for six in Lisburn on Friday night (1-6) and their reward is a home tie against Ballyclare Comrades, who defeated top flight team Dungannon Swifts 3-2 at Stangmore Park.

Portadown, who saw off fellow Championship side Bangor at Shamrock Park on a 2-1 scoreline, will host Cliftonville in the quarter-finals. The Reds, who are keeping pace with Linfield and Larne at the top end of the Premiership, eased to a comfortable 4-0 win over Premiership side Loughgall in round six at the weekend.

The draw for the last eight of the Clearer Water Irish Cup:

Larne v Newington

Institute v Linfield

Glentoran v Ballyclare Comrades

Portadown v Cliftonville

The QF games will be played on either 1 or 2 March.