Newry City open Irish Cup campaign at home whilst Point travel to heavyweights

Newry City were drawn at home to Ballinamallard United in today’s Clearer Water IFA Irish Cup Round 5 draw, with Warrenpoint Town travelling to Linfield in the new year.

Newry reached the semi-final stage of the Irish Cup in 2021/22, but their run didn’t last long 12 months ago – as they were defeated 2-1 at home to Championship side H&W Welders in the fifth round. This year, they will be hoping to reverse their fortunes, as they once again host Championship opposition.

In the league, Ballinamallard sit eighth in the table with just one win in their last four fixtures.

Elsewhere, Warrenpoint Town face a mammoth task in their Irish Cup clash, which is a repeat of last year’s tie at the same stage of the competition, as they travel to Sports Direct Premiership table toppers Linfield.

Linfield need no introduction, having won the most Irish Cups of any side (44), and were 3-0 victors when the two teams met last January.

To reach this stage, Warrenpoint have already banked three wins, overcoming St Oliver Plunkett, Abbey Villa and Lisburn Rangers, but Barry Gray’s men will be overwhelming underdogs in the fifth round.

The Fifth-round games due to be played on Saturday, January 6.