Grimsby's cup voyage has Gavan Holohan on crest of a wave

FA Cup weekends never fail to generate a full set of cliches, nostalgia and hope for the underdog.

However, despite the cynicism that has crept into the business end of the competition in recent seasons, the 2022/23 quarter-final picture is refreshing.

The structure of the draw means at least one non-Premier League side will be in the semi-finals for the first time since 2015, with plenty of Irish interest in the last-eight battle.

John Egan’s Sheffield United face Championship rivals Blackburn Rovers, who have Sammie Szmodics in their ranks; Burnley’s Josh Cullen and Michael Obafemi will be looking for an upset as Vincent Kompany heads back to Manchester City; and Evan Ferguson will look to help Brighton get past League Two giant killers Grimsby Town before heading for Republic of Ireland camp.

The chance for a shock remains high across the board, with City old boy Kompany on the verge of Premier League promotion, and Grimsby already dumping out Brighton’s neighbours Southampton in the previous round.

The eye is naturally drawn to Paul Hurst's Grimsby as being the outsiders with a genuine chance to make history.

The Mariners are aiming to keep their FA Cup fairytale going and reach the semi-finals for the first time since 1939, thus becoming the only fourth-tier side to reach the last four.

Pressure has not weighed heavy on Hurst’s players on their FA Cup march, with both the players and the fanatical Grimsby fanbase developing a thick skin on the back of years of yo-yoing in and out of the EFL and fighting against financial issues.

Promotion back into League Two breathed life into the club at a vital time, and prevented a malaise from developing, with their progression in the FA Cup showing a desire to flip the script against