The draw for this weekend's fifth round of the Irish Cup threw up some intriguing ties and with the worst of the wintry weather hopefully behind us, it should be all systems go for what is one of the highlights of the Northern Ireland domestic football calendar. With 32 teams contesting this stage of the competition, there are dreams aplenty of reaching the showpiece occasion of the season at Windsor Park at the start of May, and of course securing that coveted place in Europe which accompanies success in the final. Meetings of some of the Irish League's heavyweights, potential upsets, teams from the lower divisions with lofty ambitions...this year's Irish Cup fifth round weekend has it all. BBC Sport NI looks at some of the main talking points as kick-off in the 16 ties looms large.

Source: BBC January 09, 2026 16:17 UTC