Matt Hazley in action for the Swifts
The 2013-14 Irish League season got off to a thrilling start at Stangmore Park where Dungannon Swifts spoiled Warrenpoint Town’s big day.
The Premiership newcomers were handed an instant glimpse of life in the top division as a late, late Matt Hazley strike snatched the points.
Hazley scored three minutes from the end to settle a pulsating match and give Dungannon their first opening day win for four years.
But it was cruel on Warrenpoint, whose first-ever game in the top flight ended in heartbreak.
The Co Down side looked to have salvaged a point when Liam Bagnall fired home an 85thminute equaliser – only for Hazley to hit the winner 90 seconds later.
Although his side got off to a winning start, Dungannon manager Darren Murphy will be aware that there is still much room for improvement.
They struggled in the first half and fell behind to Kenneth Kearns’ 34th minute opener.
But Murphy will take heart from the character his players showed in turning the game around and then scoring the match-winning third late on.
In terms of the result, it was three welcome points from an away fixture – with Warrenpoint designated as the home team because of their ground-share agreement with Swifts.
The team-sheet included four of Swifts’ summer signings.
Three were handed starts – Gareth Buchanan, Ricky Copeland and David McCullough – while Darren Boyce was named on the bench.
James Costello spearheaded the forward line and had two early chances, firing wide after a Stefan Lavery pass while shooting over from the edge of the box.
But it was Warrenpoint who edged in front. Stephen Hughes crossed from the right wing and Kearns’ shot was perfectly placed inside the left post.
Dungannon struggled to create anything of significance, the main chance falling to Ryan Harpur who headed over from Michael McKerr’s probing cross.
McCullough wheels away after putting the Swifts 2-1 up.
But they were handed a lifeline just before the interval when Lavery was tripped in the box by Bagnall. The penalty looked harsh, but was powerfully converted by Hazley.
The second half brought much improvement from Dungannon, but also the quality of the match.
Straight from the kick-off the ball reached Warrenpoint forward Ruairi Devlin, but his shot was brilliantly tipped wide by Buchanan.
It proved a turning point, with Swifts edging ahead in the 51st minute.
A short corner routine ended with Harpur supplying a superb delivery into the box, and McCullough marked his debut by heading his new side in front.
Warrenpoint responded in positive fashion.
Hughes almost hit an instant reply when he connected with an inviting ball from Kearns, but his header crashed back off the crossbar.
The play shifted back upfield as Hazley’s searching pass found Costello, but his cross-shot drifted wide.
McCabe had penalty appeals turned away after he went down under a challenge from Harpur while Daniel Hughes’free-kick was safely collected by Buchanan.
But the real drama unfolded as the match entered its closing stages.
Copeland delighted with 3 points at the final whistle.
First Warrenpoint looked to have snatched a dramatic equaliser via Bagnall.
A defensive clearance was picked up on the edge of the box, where the midfielder was free to crash a left-foot drive into the far corner.
But Warrenpoint’s celebrations were cut short just 90 seconds later.
McCullough’s free-kick forward was headed down for Hazley, who controlled with his right foot before using his left to volley the winner.
WARRENPOINT TOWN: J Parr, Bagnall, Hutchinson, Boyle, Moan, Devlin, McCabe, S Parr, Kearns (Graham, 78), D Hughes, S Hughes
Subs not used: Mooney, Smith, McGrath, Johnston
DGN SWIFTS: Buchanan, McKerr, McCullough, Copeland, Grieve, PJ Lavery, Harpur, Hazley, Costello (Boyce, 70), Hutchinson, S Lavery (Fitzpatrick, 90)
Subs not used: Glackin, Brennan, C Lavery
Referee: Ian McNabb (Newtownabbey)