While driving familiar roads from Dungannon to Windsor Park for Tuesday’s Irish Cup fifth round draw, memories of last season’s triumph came flooding back to Rodney McAree – and he believes history can repeat itself.

Dungannon Swifts collected their maiden competition crown following a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over Cliftonville – a result which also booked a summer European return.

For the first time, the Co Tyrone club enter the Irish Cup as reigning champions and will begin their defence with a home tie against second-tier Ards, who reached the semi-finals last term.

McAree savoured every second of Dungannon’s celebrations, which included a bus tour around the town and were made extra special given his long-standing family connection to the Swifts.

placeholder image — Dungannon Swifts will begin their Irish Cup defence against Ards. (Photo by Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press)

With that success now in the rear-view mirror, McAree has challenged his talented squad to write another chapter in the club’s history books.

"It's probably a wee bit strange (coming in as defending champions),” he said. “We've never been in this position before.

"There's a lot of people looking at the success we had last season and we probably gave clubs with a similar stature to ourselves a belief they can do it as well.

"That's nice that we're inspiring people that they can do it also. We've won it before and feel we can do it again.

"We've a good group of players who believe in themselves and each other. When you win a cup and beat a team like Cliftonville in the final, it has to give you belief that you can go and do it again.

"We've enjoyed the memories and always will, but we can't live on the fact we won it. We have to go and try to win it again and it gives you the hunger and desire to do it again."

FULL IRISH CUP FIFTH ROUND DRAW:

Lisburn Distillery vs Warrenpoint Town

Coleraine vs Crusaders

Portadown vs Annagh United

Comber Rec vs Ballymacash Rangers

Ballinamallard United vs Institute

Glenavon vs Newington

Dungannon Swifts vs Ards

Carrick Rangers vs Queen’s University

Lisburn Rangers vs Limavady United

Ballymena United vs Larne

Armagh City vs Drumaness Mills