Local sides gear up for Irish Cup weekend

Wellington Rec travel to Belfast to meet the side currently second in the Premier Division - Rosario Youth Club. Jim Hagan's side will renew acquaintances with familiar faces in former player Colin Telford (the Rosario manager), and ex-Larne Tech Old Boy, Liam McKillop.

Wellington will make some changes in that William Wharry, on loan from Glebe Rangers, isn't allowed to play, as the Ballymoney side don't want him cup-tied.

Larne Tech Old Boys will certainly be looking for a big improvement on Saturday's display at Holywood FC. The Tech face a tough one at Paisley Park, against an Albert Foundry side, who seem to be finding their feet under new manager and ex-Rathfern Ranger Colin McIlwaine.

Its unlikely manager Gary Smyth will have kept the same starting eleven anyway, but his hand is forced by suspensions, which rule out midfielders Rab Brown and Christopher Morton, as well as defender Matt Hyslop who was unavailable for Saturday's trip to Holywood. The Tech certainly will need to tighten those defensive screws and the injured Jody Hill is a big loss. There is brighter news in that the versatile Martin Steele is back in training.

Meanwhile, Stephen Donald's Islandmagee, fresh from their memorable victory over Linfield Swifts, take on Abbey Villa at Wilbourne Park.

Also making a 'trip into the unknown' are Newington Rangers, who travel to a Dungiven side, currently lying second in the O'Neill's Intermediate League.