Glentoran’s Big Two Irish Cup Semi-Final against Linfield will be staged at The Oval

Cliftonville versus Larne to take place at Windsor Park

Glentoran are set to play Linfield in the Irish Cup semi-final at The Oval

Glentoran will play Linfield at The Oval in the Irish Cup Semi-Finals, while Larne will face Cliftonville at Windsor Park in the other last four clash after a draw was made today by the IFA to decide the venues for the games.

The matches will take place at the end of this month, with the Big Two derby on Friday, March 29 with a 7.45pm kick-off before the two Reds clash on Saturday, March 30 at 5.30pm.

Since the Semi-Final draw at the weekend, the location of both games has been a major talking point amongst the supporters of all four clubs.

Glentoran were keen that Windsor Park was not chosen by the authorities, as has been the case in recent times when Linfield have been the opposition in Irish Cup Semi-Finals, and considered suggesting Ulster Rugby’s Ravenhill ground as a neutral alternative.

Rather than simply opt for Windsor, it is understood a draw was conducted, which was deemed fair by all, with The Oval randomly selected in a 50/50 scenario.

The news will please Glentoran, who have lost twice at Windsor this season. In the east Belfast ground, each side has won once with the Blues triumphing in the BetMcLean Cup and Warren Feeney’s outfit 4-0 victors in a League meeting.

The Larne versus Cliftonville match at Windsor will be one of three crunch meetings between the clubs in the final weeks of the season, with two Premiership fixtures for the Inver Park and Solitude Reds also on the schedule.