Neighbours meet in Irish Cup last eight

LIMAVADY United manager Paul Owens admits Saturday’s Irish Cup quarter-final against Coleraine is arguably the worst draw the club could have got.
The Roesiders have produced some giant-killing acts already in their run to the last eight - most notably beating Linfield - and will be required to do so again this weekend if they want to make the semi-finals.
Limavady United were drawn out of the hat first but have been playing their home games at the Coleraine Showgrounds while a new playing surface is installed at the Limavady Showgrounds so Saturday’s game takes place at Ballycastle Road.
The clubs have met once before in the Irish Cup - the Bannsiders winning a fifth round tie 2-1 back in 2011 - and a huge crowd is expected for the clash of these north west neighbours.
“I played for Limavady in the Irish Cup quarter -final maybe 20 years ago and I don't think we have been in that position since then - I could be wrong, so it's good for the squad and it's going to be a massive crowd and game for everybody,” admitted Owens.
“We know how difficult it's going to be. It's a weird one for me as I've played and coached at Coleraine. I have good memories with the club, a good relationship with Ruaihdri and a couple of the players, but come three o'clock we'll be going out there to try and win that game and give a good account of ourselves.
“We have a really good relationship and respect between the two clubs - I didn't feel the need to annoy Coleraine by putting them in the away section, I just don't think that was the right thing to do.
“So I was more than happy to keep them in their comfortable position and in the home dugout - they've been very kind to us, sharing the gate - so it's more out of respect than anything else.
“I spoke to the chairman about it and I didn't want to rattle any cages or annoy any people - we're very grateful of them for accommodating us and there's no need to disrupt anything.
“This is the worst draw that we could have got and one that I didn't want. Hopefully we'll play without fear and put in a good performance that will match the crowd.
“If we weren't playing Coleraine then I would be supporting them to win it - and if they are to go on and be in the semi-final, then, strangely enough, I'll be going out to support them,” he added.
Meanwhile, Coleraine head coach Ruaidhri Higgins, himself a Limavady man, says he won’t be taking anything for granted against the Championship high-flyers.
“I know a lot of the players and I know all the staff,” he said. “They've done so well and they're in a brilliant position in the league so they'll get our utmost respect.
“I expect to see a major response from Saturday’s defeat at Dungannon and I have to give the players that came on the pitch at half-time huge credit – they gave us an energy.
“We need to make sure we put a team on the pitch that are ready to put in a real committed performance. We've been in this position where we've been really flat.
“But we went and put a good run together after Larne and I expect the same again.”