The revised draw for Round 1 of this season’s Sadler’s Peaky Blinder Irish Cup was confirmed today.
The competition, which has been scaled back by the Irish FA Challenge Cup Committee due to the Covid-19 pandemic, is due to get under way on 27 April.
The revised draw reflects the withdrawal of six NIFL Championship clubs from the competition in recent weeks.
The withdrawals mean Bangor, Dollingstown, St James’s Swifts, PSNI, Larne and cup holders Glentoran all receive byes into the second round. The teams who have opted out of Northern Ireland’s premier cup competition are Queen’s University, Ards, Harland and Wolff Welders, Institute, Newry City and Dundela.
Three of the remaining 10 ties will be played on Saturday 1 May rather than 27 April. They are: Knockbreda v Newington (2.30pm kick-off), Ballinamallard United v Dergview (3pm start) and Loughgall v Banbridge Town (3pm).
The other seven ties will be played on Tuesday 27 April (7.45pm kick-offs).
Warrenpoint Town are set to face Ballyclare Comrades at home in Round 1, while Coleraine and Crusaders will battle it out at the Showgrounds in Coleraine and Glenavon take on Dungannon Swifts at Mourneview Park.
Other ties include Cliftonville v Portstewart at Solitude and Linfield at home to Annagh United. Ballymena United and Portadown will meet at the Showgrounds and Carrick Rangers are due to welcome Belfast Celtic to Taylor’s Avenue.
Protocols have been drawn up to ensure the Sadler’s Peaky Blinder Irish Cup can take place safely with all arrangements subject to change depending on any further government guidance.
Round 2 (last 16) is due to be staged on Saturday 8 May followed by the quarter-finals on Tuesday 11 May, the semi-finals on Tuesday 18 May and the final on Friday 21 May.
You can download the full draw below.
