Dungannon Swifts want to get quickly get their hands back on Irish Cup crown, says Rodney McAree ahead of H&W Welders test

The men from Co Tyrone lifted the famous competition last year for the very first time after beating Cliftonville in the showpiece decider at Windsor Park.

They have continued their defence of the blue riband event so far this year after seeing off Ards and Portadown, with H&W Welders now standing in their way for a spot in the last four.

The Irish Cup has been a welcome presence across the local community in Dungannon over the last ten months but it is set to be returned to the governing body as the competition reaches its business end.

"We have to hand the cup back very, very shortly, which will be disappointing," McAree explained.

"We want to do our best to try and get it back as quickly as we possibly can.

"We need a focus, we need to make sure that we leave no stone unturned and get ready for a tough encounter and try to get over the line.

"As soon as we play the quarter-final, I think it goes back a couple of days after. Then it's used for publicity and what have you in the build-up to everything that comes after.

"It was doing its rounds last weekend. There were a few photos being taken with it today and everybody wants to get a photo before it goes back.

"We make the most of it for another few days and then do our best to try and retain it."

McAree was full of respect for the Welders, and in particular, their boss Paul Kee, who he labelled as "a very good manager".

The Championship side travel to Stangmore Park on the back of losing their last two games, meaning they are third in the table and nine points behind pacesetters Annagh United.

However, McAree vowed that his side, who were 3-1 victors against Coleraine last time out, will be taking nothing for granted.

"Paul Kee will come along with his team and he'll have them well set up to cause an upset,” he added.

“It's a quarter-final of an Irish Cup, so it’s an opportunity for us to get into a semi-final.

"H&W Welders, like Ards was earlier in the competition, are a very good side.

"They are very well-drilled and they’ll have a belief that wthey can come here and win.

"We have to understand and grab the opportunity that presents itself. That's not just because it's the Welders...that's just because it's the quarter-final of an Irish Cup and we want to be in the semi-final.

"We want to give ourselves that chance of being in the showcase of the season. We have to get over the line if that's going to happen.

"It looks as if it could be a very strong semi-final but stranger things have happened in the past.

"We just have to take care of ourselves and we have to make sure that we're one of the ones in that semi-final.”