Irish League Football

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The draw for the sixth round of the Irish Cup was made on Saturday evening, with Championship promotion challengers Limavady United against Linfield one of the confirmed last-16 ties.

In an all-Premiership encounter, Carrick Rangers will host Coleraine at Taylors Avenue, while H&W Welders will be at home to Ballymacash Rangers.

The other matches will see Cliftonville play Glenavon or Newington at Solitude and holders Dungannon Swifts away to either Portadown or Annagh United.

The winner of the postponed Ballymena United-Larne fifth-round tie will be away to Lisburn Distillery or Warrenpoint Town.

Strabane Athletic or Glentoran will take on Drumaness Mills, while Knockbreda or Loughgall will entertain Ballinamallard United or Institute.

The sixth-round ties are scheduled for Friday 6 February and Saturday 7 February.

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Coleraine manager Ruaidhri Higgins says his side "scored some really good goals" during their 4-0 Irish Cup fifth round victory over Crusaders at the Coleraine Showgrounds.

After a goalless first half, Brendan Hamilton was dismissed just after the restart with Mark Connolly breaking the deadlock from the resulting free-kick.

Will Patching, James Akintunde and Joel Cooper then netted to give the home side a comfortable advantage and secure their spot in the sixth round.

"It has worked out to be a good night for us," Higgins told BBC Sport NI.

"We weren't brilliant in the first half, but we looked like the team who looked like going in front, so I was happy enough.

"The sending off comes at a really good time for us and we scored from the free-kick so, from that moment on, it was going to be tough for Crusaders. We remained professional and scored some really good goals."

January signings Connolly and Akintunde have made an instant impact since joining the club with both netting on just their second appearance.

The victory means that the Bannsiders return to winning ways after a disappointing 3-0 loss against Larne in the Irish Premiership last weekend with Higgins adding that the side are improving.

"Connolly has got that aggression and desire to win football matches," he continued.

"We are getting closer to what we wanted to look like and what we think will help make this club successful.

"Listen, we just keep plugging away and trying to win games of football."

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Crusaders manager Declan Caddell says his side's 4-0 loss against Coleraine in the fifth round of the Irish Cup is a "steep learning curve" for the north Belfast outfit.

Brendan Hamilton was dismissed just after the restart with Mark Connolly opening the scoring from the resulting free-kick.

Coleraine then extended their advantage through Will Patching, James Akintunde and Joel Cooper to secure the first spot in the sixth round of the Irish Cup.

"I thought we restricted them to shots from distance in the first half, but with that extra man their quality showed in the end," Caddell told BBC Sport NI.

"They are able to find that extra man floating about and pull you to pieces. It is a steep learning curve for some of the younger lads.

"I can't be prouder as they left everything on the pitch and didn't stop until the final whistle and, as a manager, that is all you can ask for."

The defeat puts to an end the Crues' three game winning run and is their fifth 4-0 defeat of the season.

Crusaders currently sit tenth in the Irish Premiership on 24 points with Caddell adding his side have to "wipe off" the disappointment of the Irish Cup as attentions return to the league.

"You just have to wipe it off. We have been in this situation before this season. We have taken a couple of heavy defeats and bounced back," he continued.

"Everyone wants to be in the Irish Cup and we would have preferred a better draw to be honest but congratulations to Coleraine.

"Our focus now has to go onto the league, build momentum and no distractions."

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Strabane Athletic's Cathal McShane said his side want to "give a good account" of themselves when they host Irish Premiership heavyweights Glentoran in the Irish Cup fifth round on Saturday (13:30 GMT).

Strabane, who won promotion to the Premier Intermediate lead for the first time last year, welcome the title-chasing Glens to the Melvin Park Arena hoping to spring an upset.

As Mo Mahon's side prepare for the biggest game in the club's history, Tyrone All-Ireland winning forward McShane wants his teammates to embrace the challenge of facing Declan Devine's team, who have won their past four league games.

"It's a big day for the town and for the community. It's good to have the game being played at home in your own venue," he told BBC Sport NI.

"When we got Glentoran there was a bit of banter in the group chat then it was head down, work hard and prep as best as possible. We're looking forward to it."

The 30-year-old points to Strabane's performances in the BetMcLean Cup this season as proof they can compete with sides in leagues above them.

McShane scored an extra-time winner to help them beat Championship side Loughgall 3-2 at Lakeview Park in the first round and they raced into a two-goal lead against holders Cliftonville at Solitude in the next round, only to ultimately succumb to 5-2 defeat.

"Down in Strabane anything can happen. Earlier in the season we went to Cliftonville and were 2-0 up, had a great start and we'll be aiming to do similar to that," he added.

"We beat Loughgall in the round before that in the BetMcLean Cup, so there's good talent there [in the squad] and we'll give a good account and see how we fare."

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Cliftonville have announced the signing of H&W Welders forward Brian Healy for an undisclosed fee.

The 21-year-old previously featured in the Irish Premiership with Newry City and then enjoyed two productive loan spells with Ballyclare Comrades.

He signed for the Welders in July 2025 and hit the ground running in east Belfast, netting 25 goals in 26 games in all competitions, including four in his final appearance for the club against Armagh City.

Healy becomes the Reds' third January signing after the arrivals of Joseph O'Toole and Liam McStravick and will be part of the squad for their Irish Cup fifth round tie against Dundela on Saturday.

Cliftonville also confirmed that full-back Conor Barr has returned to Derry City following the conclusion of his loan spell at the club.

The 20-year-old made 13 appearances during his time at the north Belfast outfit.

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Crusaders have announced the signing of defender Cameron Bruce on a two-and-a-half-year deal.

The 20-year-old joins from Airdrieonians, who he made 10 appearances for, and will add to Declan Caddell's side's defensive options.

Bruce is the first signing that Caddell has made since the transfer window opened as the north Belfast side attempt to extend their unbeaten run to more than three games and move further clear of the bottom two in the Irish Premiership.

"We are delighted to add Cammy to the squad," Caddell told Crusaders media after the announcement.

"He is a player we have been watching for a while and when the opportunity came to sign him, we jumped at it.

"He is a very talented player who will fit in really well with the group."

The Crues travel to the Coleraine Showgrounds on Friday night to face the Bannsiders in the fifth round of the Irish Cup with the match live on the BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website.

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Midfielder Will Patching has signed a permanent two-and-a-half-year contract with Coleraine.

The 27-year-old was on loan at the Showgrounds from Carlisle United and has now made the switch permanent.

Patching, who previously played for Notts County, Derry City and Dundalk, has scored six goals in 25 appearances for the Bannsiders.

Coleraine manager Ruaidhri Higgins said Patching was an "exceptional" and "very elegant" player.

"What people maybe wouldn't see is his desire to win and how much not winning upsets him," Higgins said.

"I think when we took the job here, he was very quickly a player that we identified that we would like to build a team around."

Higgins added that plans to make the switch permanent had "been in the pipeline for quite a while".

"It's been in the pipeline for quite a while and it's clear how much we rate him and how much we value him as a footballer.

"I think now that this is done permanently, we'll see him kick on again and we're delighted that he's going to be a major part of our future."

Elsewhere, Cliftonville have announced the loan signing of versatile defender Joseph Toole from Fleetwood Town.

The Reds also confirmed that Thomas Lavery has been recalled from his loan by Sunderland after scoring twice in his 19 appearances for the north Belfast club.

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Ballymena United have announced the signing former Glentoran midfielder Sean Murray.

The 32-year-old had spells with Watford, Colchester United and Dundalk before joining the Glens in January 2022.

He made just 48 appearances during an injury-hit spell at the club and joined Cork City on loan in January 2024.

That summer the Englishman made the move to Cork permanent and he played 60 games for the Rebels before having his contract cancelled in December 2025.

He becomes Oran Kearney's third signing of the winter window after the arrivals of Igor Rutkowski and Dean Ebbe.

"What drew me most to Ballymena was the staff and the people around the club," he told Ballymena United's website.

"The project is a positive one and I'm happy to be a part of it. Hopefully as I get up to scratch in the next couple of weeks and we get a few people back, we can go on a bit of a charge up the table. Ballymena is a sleeping giant with great facilities and a great fan base."

Manager Kearney added that he was delighted to bring in someone as experienced as Murray.

"You don't play the number of games that he played for Watford in the Championship without undoubted star quality," he explained.

"He had a few injury issues, but he got those sorted a couple of years ago.

"He's absolutely flying and ready to go and we're looking forward to working with him."

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Carrick Rangers manager Stephen Baxter said his side have to "move forward" after their 7-0 loss against Glentoran at Taylors Avenue.

Pat Hoban netted six goals in 52 minutes to give the away side a sizeable lead before Liam Burt added a seventh.

It was an afternoon to forget for Carrick with defender Reece Glendinning dismissed for a high challenge on Jordan Jenkins after 30 minutes.

"Glentoran were better than us by some difference and we were well below par," Baxter told BBC Sport NI.

"Credit to Glentoran for some very good play and some very good finishes from Hoban and it was one of those days that got away from us.

"It is not something that I am going to lose any sleep over. Whether it was 4-0, 6-0 or 10-0, it is what it is, and we have lost the game. Players have to get over it quickly and move forward."

Baxter's side are now without a win in nine league games and sit 11th in the Premiership table.

As well as now being without the suspended Glendinning, Ryan Waide looks set to join Carrick's lengthy injury list after he had to be replaced 10 minutes into the game.

"In terms of where we are personal wise, we need to see fit bodies coming back and we need to bring one or two more in for what is ahead of us over the next 16 weeks," Baxter continued.

"We have one goalkeeper at the minute. Nathan Gartside looks like he will be out for quite a number of weeks with this thigh injury he picked up against Crusaders.

"Lots of things go on around you and the sending off doesn't help you and, for me, it was never a sending off."

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Crusaders boss Declan Caddell said his side "thoroughly deserved" their 2-0 win over Dungannon Swifts at Seaview.

Goals from Finley Thorndike and Fraser Bryden helped the hosts extend their unbeaten run to three games in the league.

The dogged victory also brought just a third clean sheet of the campaign, which Caddell was hugely satisfied with.

"It's a welcome three points, it's nice to start the new year off with a win at home as our home form hasn't been great," he told BBC Sport NI.

"The most pleasing thing for me was a clean sheet, something we have struggled with all season, but the boys were a credit to the fans today and I thought they were exceptional."

Caddell reserved praise for goalkeeper Musa Dibaga, who has put in a string of impressive displays since being reinstated to the starting side last month.

"Musa is growing in confidence week on week. He started at the start of the season and lacked that bit of confidence, we took him out and eased him back in and the last three weeks I think he's been exceptional," Caddell added.

"He made two good saves from free-kicks and some reaction saves and he showed today how good a goalkeeper he can be."

Dungannon Swifts boss Rodney McAree was frustrated with his side's display as they suffered a first league defeat in six games.

"We probably get what we deserve, we create numerous chances and don't take them, we present Crusaders with chances, and they capitalise on that," he said.

"I was a bit disappointed with us, at times we were lethargic and complacent, got caught in possession and paid the price."