Limavady win 'will live long in the memory' - Owens

Limavady manager Paul Owens says his side's 1-0 victory over Linfield to advance to the quarter-finals of the Irish Cup was the "highlight" of his career.

Ryan McNickle scored the only goal of the game after 28 minutes to secure the first spot in the last eight of the Irish Cup for the Championship pacesetters.

This is the second year in a row that Limavady have knocked the defending Premiership champions out of the competition after beating Larne last season.

"Someone asked me if it was the highlight of my career and it probably is," Owens told BBC Sport NI.

"We won the league a few years ago and it was great to get the kids out, but you saw at the final whistle with the stadium full of Limavady fans, it is a win that will live long in the memory and one we fully deserved.

"I'm a bit emotional about it. I am immensely proud of the whole group and the whole club in general. We have made massive strides over the last three years."

Goalscorer McNickle joined the club on loan from Ballymena United in the January transfer window.

Limavady sit five points clear at the top of the Championship and are five points clear of H&W Welders in second with a game in hand.

"I am delighted for Ryan," he continued.

"He has been out for 16 weeks I had a conversation about him coming in the summer and it was too much travel but with our strong position and him returning for injury, it fitted well for him to come.

"If had one big moment tonight and he took it."