CLIFTONVILLE skipper Rory Hale feels the north Belfast men can create more Clearer Water Irish Cup history by making a successful defence of the trophy.
The Reds edged past Glenavon 3-2 after extra time at Solitude to book a spot in the last eight – in which the immediate post-match draw produced the tie of the round in Cliftonville making the short hop across north Belfast to face fierce rivals Crusaders at Seaview on February 28 or March 1.
The Reds famously landed the Irish Cup for the first time in 45 years last May, beating Linfield at Windsor Park after extra time.
Arran Pettifer scored right on half-time to give the home side the lead at the break but Glenavon – managed by former Solitude boss Paddy McLaughlin – levelled though Michael O’Connor before the Reds looked to have won it with a Hale cracker in the 87th minute. Barney McKeown though bagged an injury time equaliser with Jonny Addis firing home in extra time to clinch victory for the holders.
Delighted captain Hale said: “Imagine if we could create more history and win it two years in a row. And what a quarter-final to look forward to – absolutely amazing. You have to beat the big teams to win the cup – we beat the big teams last season.”
Reflecting on the win over Glenavon, he added: “The boys dug really, really deep. A brilliant day for us.
“I’m delighted with my goal. I feel I’ve started to get back to my best over the last few weeks.
“It’s been a testing season so far, it’s been a transitional year. We’ve been inconsistent in the league,” admitted Hale whose side have the BetMcLean Cup final against Glentoran next month to look forward to and go to Coleraine for a Sports Direct Premiership clash on Tuesday night.
The Bannsiders will have to try to pick themselves up for that one after an extra-time 2-1 Irish Cup exit against Dungannon Swifts at Stangmore Park.
Gael Bigirimana gave the Swifts an early lead before Declan McManus levelled eight minutes from time on his Coleraine debut. That set the stage for Tomás Galvin to score an extra time winner for the high-flying Swifts, who had conceded a late equaliser in a 1-1 draw against the same opposition at the same venue last week.
Dungannon boss Rodney McAree, whose side were handed a tough quarter-final tie away to Carrick Rangers, said: “Our boys gained valuable experience in the draw last week. This time around, every time a ball went into the box we dealt with it very, very well.
“We ground a result out and when it went to extra time I thought we looked the team more likely to get a winner. It was a great finish from Tomás Galvin.
“We deserved to win it – we put a lot of effort in last week and only got a draw. It was another immense effort so credit to the boys.”
As for the quarter-final against Stephen Baxter’s men at Taylor’s Avenue, McAree added: “It’s not a place you want to go but we got a win there earlier in the season., Stephen is certainly getting a tune out of them. It will be very difficult but we will give it a good go.
“Maybe there’s a big day coming for us!”
Carrick eased through with a 3-0 win at Playr-Fit Championship side Ballinamallard, while Crusaders edged out Limavady United 1-0 at Seaview.
Loughgall were 3-0 winners at third-tier Dollingstown, Ards triumphed 3-1 at Moyola Park and in the all-Championship tie Bangor beat Annagh United 3-0 at Clandeboye Park – where they will host Irish Cup favourites Glentoran in the quarter-finals. The Glens were 2-1 extra-time winners over Linfield at the Oval on Friday night.
Clearer Water Irish Cup quarter-final draw: Ards v Loughgall; Crusaders v Cliftonville; Bangor v Glentoran; Carrick Rangers v Dungannon Swifts.
Ties to be played on February 28 and March 1