Sunday date confirmed for Institute and Linfield’s Irish Cup Quarter-Final

Linfield and Institute will clash in the Quarter-Finals of the Irish Cup

Linfield’s Clearer Water Irish Cup Quarter-Final against Institute at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium will take place on Sunday March 3 with a 1pm kick-off.

The last-eight clash was scheduled for 3pm on Saturday, March 2 but that date was not suitable as Derry’s senior footballers are at home to All-Ireland champions Dublin in an Allianz Football League fixture at nearby Celtic Park on the same day.

Derry are due to face Dublin in a hotly anticipated clash a few minutes’ walk away at 5pm.

Playing the Irish Cup match on the Friday evening was not an option because Derry City are set to play St Patrick’s Athletic at the Brandywell that night at 7.45pm in a League of Ireland game that kicks off a huge sporting weekend in the Maiden City.

An alternative was to switch the match to Windsor Park but Institute did not want to give up the home advantage handed to them in the draw.

After discussions involving both clubs, the PSNI and the Irish FA, a 1pm kick off on the Sunday was agreed.

Linfield stated: “Our Irish Cup Quarter-Final tie with Institute has now been scheduled for Sunday 3rd of March, Kick Off 1pm. Ticketing arrangements will follow.”