Irish Cup Quarter Finals Round-up

Larne became the second Irish Championship side to make the last four of the competition by dumping Premiership, Ballymena United out on their home patch.

Ballymena took an early lead as Tony Kane slotted away a penalty to give David Jefferies men the perfect start.

Martin Donnelly struck seven minutes after the break to restore parity before former Derry City striker Tommy Stewart headed home in the sixty seventh minute to put Larne into the lead.

Larne would hold onto that lead and seal a famous passage into the semi-final sparking real scenes at the Ballymena Showgrounds.

High flying Coleraine continued their good form by knocking Glentoran out the cup.

Darren McCauley’s long range strike in the tenth minute of the game was enough to secure a return to the last four as they look to go one better than last year’s final appearance.

Cliftonville and Linfield met at Windsor Park with both managers needing a win after disappointing league campaigns.

Both sets of supporters turned out in great numbers but it was those in red who left happiest thanks to Joe Gormley’s composed finish nine minutes from time.

Championship side Loughall had already booked their passage into the semi-final nine days earlier knocking Glenavon out at Mourneview Park.

Coleraine will now meet Larne and Cliftonville take on Loughall in the semi-finals due to be played at venues to be confirmed on Saturday March 31^st.

Tennants Irish Cup Quarter Final results in full:

LINFIELD 0-1 CLIFTONVILLE

BALLYMENA UNITED 1-2 LARNE

COLERAINE 1-0 GLENTORAN

GLENAVON 1-2 LOUGHALL