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Belfast Live
Belfast Live
Sport
Gareth Fullerton

Ballymena United announce new Irish Cup semi-final date

A new provisional date has been set for Ballymena United's Irish Cup semi-final.

The Sky Blues have announced that their outstanding last-four clash will be played on Tuesday, April 26.

Mourneview Park will be the venue with a 7.45pm kick-off.

Read more: IFA confirms Glentoran's arbitration move following Irish Cup expulsion

Who they will meet in the semis remains to be confirmed, with Ballymena saying they are due to discover their opponents next Friday, April 22.

Glentoran beat Newry City in the quarter-finals but the Glens were subsequently thrown out of the competition after midfielder Joe Crowe was found to be ineligible for the game.

Since then Mick McDermott's side have lost an appeal to the Irish FA, with the East Belfast club then confirming their decision to seek arbitration over their high-profile expulsion.

It has caused a lengthy delay in completing the semi-finals, with the game having been initially scheduled for April 2.

Speaking recently, Mick McDermott said: “I know there has been criticism in some of the press and social media that this is the Glens doing this and the Glens doing that.

“No, this is the process. This is not a club-to-club battle. This is not us against Newry or us against Ballymena. It’s not us against Crusaders.

“This is us moving through a legal process with the IFA to find a fair outcome and that’s what we’re doing.”

The Irish Cup final is currently pencilled in for Saturday, May 7, with Crusaders awaiting the winners of the second semi-final.

Read more: James McClean describes Kenny Shiels as 'the gift that keeps on giving' after 'women are more emotional' remark

Read more: Northern Ireland captain Marissa Callaghan issues statement on Kenny Shiels comments

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