BALLYMENA United's reward for defeating Glenavon will be a semi-final against their Mid-Ulster rivals Portadown next month.

This will give United supporters a chance to erase the memory of the 1999 semi-final (pictured) between the two sides, in which Alan Fraser's Sky Blues failed to perform on the big stage and lost the 'final' as Portadown's opponents Cliftonville were thrown out of the competition on the eve of the final.

More recently the two sides last met in the competition during the 2002/2003 season when the First Division leaders held the reigning Premier League champions to a 1-1 draw at Shamrock Park after a late Shea Campbell equaliser; but lost the subsequent replay by six goals in front of a massive crowd at the Showgrounds.

The last time a Ballymena United side defeated the Ports was back in 1980 at the quarter-final stage at the Showgrounds when goals from Paul Malone (2) and Sammy McQuiston sealed a 3-2 victory.

For the record Portadown have won the Irish Cup three times - all whilst Ronnie McFall has been at the helm - with the last coming back in 2005; compared to Ballymena United's six successes.

The semi-final is to be played on Saturday 10th April, 2010 and is currently expected to be played at Windsor Park.

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