Loughgall boss delighted to be home for Irish Cup quarter-final after narrow win against Institute

The Villagers reached the last eight of the competition after edging out their fellow Championship opponents.

Loughgall held the half-time lead as Paul McElroy found the back of the net on 18 minutes but the tie was level by the hour mark when Callum Deery produced a composed finish into the far corner.

But Loughgall had the final say with 20 minutes remaining as a clinical finish by Kirk McLaughlin proved to be the difference.

It now means Loughgall are set to host the Reds early next month and Murphy was full of praise for his opposite number Jim Magilton.

"Probably need to get a set of earmuffs for that one,” he joked on BBC Radio Ulster’s Sportsound programme.

"It's always going to be difficult, you know Jim, obviously Cliftonville getting back to back Irish Cup finals as well, there's been a lot of turnover of players at Solitude.

“Some big names have left Solitude, you know, and that's what Jim and Gerard (Lyttle) and the rest of staff are doing there.

"They're bringing a lot of young players through and they're still trying to play that brand of football.

"The only thing I'm really pleased about is it is actually a home tie because travelling to Solitude would be, you know, extremely difficult, so to get them at home it should be a really entertaining fixture.”

Murphy’s men have also beaten Knockbreda on their way to the last eight and he has welcomed the rigours of mixing their Championship campaign with a deep run in the Irish Cup.

The men from Co Armagh are currently 4th in the Championship table but know a return to the top-flight is going to be extremely unrealistic this term.

“Yeah, enjoying the cup run,” Murphy explained.

"It's a break from the league, it certainly is, and to be fair it's been a good cup run for us.

"In both games we've played, I think we've been worthy winners, but I think this one will be a lot more difficult, but I look forward to it.”