Glentoran have been drawn against Lough41 Championship opposition for the third consecutive round of the Irish Cup after beating Queen’s University 4-0 at The Dub.
The Ovalmen’s reward for their victory over the Students is a home quarter-final with Newry City, who lie top of the second tier, on the weekend of March 4 and 5.
The Glens, who defeated Dergview in the first round, last won the Irish Cup in 2020 and are current favourites to lift the blue riband trophy in May.
Newry, who are eight points clear of the chasing pack at the top of the Championship, earned their place in the last-eight with a 1-0 win over Ards on Friday night.
“I’m just happy to be in the next round and happy with the goals we scored and chances we created against Queen’s,” said Glens boss Mick McDermott.
“Any Irish Cup tie is tough, but I thought we did more than enough to get through to the next round.”
Michael O’Connor’s first goal for the club got the Big Two giants off to a flier, with Robbie McDaid (two) and Shay McCartan completing the scoring.
Larne, who knocked holders Linfield out of the competition with a 2-0 win at Inver Park on Friday night, will travel to either Ballymena United or Portstewart in the last-eight.
The Ballymena v Portstewart tie was called off on Saturday morning due to a heavily waterlogged pitch and has been rescheduled for February 15.
Cliftonville, who beat Carrick Rangers 1-0 thanks to Ronan Doherty’s third goal of the season, are drawn at home to Coleraine.
The Bannsiders booked their place in the next round with a 2-0 win over Portadown thanks to goals from Lyndon Kane and Josh Carson.
“Cliftonville are flying but in terms of draws the quarter-final is always going to be tough,” said Coleraine captain Stephen O’Donnell. “It should be a great game at Solitude.”
Crusaders, who beat Ballinamallard United 1-0 in a repeat of the 2019 final at Ferney Park, will host Dungannon Swifts in the quarter-finals.
Dungannon overcame Annagh United 4-1 thanks to a double from new signing Cathair Friel and a further brace from Ben Gallagher.
IRISH CUP QUARTER-FINALS
- Glentoran v Newry City
- Crusaders v Dungannon Swifts
- Cliftonville v Coleraine
- Ballymena United or Portstewart v Larne
(Ties to be played on weekend of March 4 and 5)
