Q Radio Sport
The Sadler's Peaky Blinder Irish Cup resumes on Saturday with eight second round ties which will take the winning sides a step closer to a place in the Mourneview Park decider at the end of the month.
Holders Glentoran enter the fray for the first time in what promises to be the tie of the round when they welcome Cliftonville to The Oval. Mick McDermott's side received a bye last time out following Dundela's withdrawal while the Reds swept past Portstewart. (McDermott has been named NIFWA Manager of the Month after an unbeaten April). The Glens beat their Belfast rivals after a dramatic penalty shoot-out in last year's semi-finals.
This will be the fifth time this season the sides have met and despite the Glens coming out on top on three occasions each game has been closely fought, being settled either by just one goal or a late winner. Kicking off at 5:30pm, the game will be streamed live. The other ties start at 3pm:
Mick McDermott is NI Football Writers’ Manager of the Month for April@Glentoran had an unbeaten month, including wins over Portadown, Dungannon, Cliftonville and Larne
— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) May 8, 2021
Glens v Reds in the Irish Cup today - 5.30pm kick-off at The Oval, other ties 3pm
Sport on air on the hour pic.twitter.com/swpz2bsG5w
Glens v Reds is one of two all-Premiership clashes with the other seeing league leaders Linfield host bottom of the table Dungannon Swifts.
The Blues have hit eight goals without reply in the three previous encounters this term but the Swifts proved in their first round victory over Glenavon that league form doesn't necessarily carry over when it comes to a one-off nothing to lose cup scenario.
Last season's runners-up, Ballymena United, welcome PSNI to The Showgrounds. The Sky Blues are chasing a potential European play-off spot to make up for the disappointment of failing to make the top six and have bagged no fewer than 11 goals in their last three outings against Portadown, Glenavon and Carrick Rangers.
PSNI, by contrast, won't have kicked a ball in anger in 215 days since their only competitive outing this season, a 6-0 loss to Linfield in the Co. Antrim Shield back in October. However, as shown in the last round, those sides making a return to action after a long lay-off certainly didn't disgrace themselves so it would be remiss of David Jeffrey's side to take anything for granted going into the game.