The dream of Irish Cup glory is over for Dungannon Swifts, but there is little time for anyone to reflect on this depressing semi-final defeat.
It was a Rainey day at Mourneview Park as a second half goal from the veteran striker ended Swifts’ adventure and sent Crusaders into local football’s showpiece finale.
But while Dungannon may have missed out on another cup final, their season is far from finished.
No sooner had the final whistle blown on Saturday evening than attention shifted to their five remaining make-or-break league fixtures.
And while they may not have the charm and prestige of a glamour final at Windsor Park, most will agree that they hold even more significance.
Forget Crusaders, it is Carrick Rangers on Saturday which could define Swifts’ campaign.
Because as disappointing as this loss is, it was always going to be secondary to the main objective of avoiding relegation from the top division.
And if Dungannon can go on and complete the great escape over the coming weeks, this heartbreaking loss will be quickly forgotten.
In truth, few are likely to remember this lacklustre 90 minutes for long.
Typical of so many semi-finals, it was short on excitement, quality and goals – ultimately settled by one flash of quality from David Rainey.
It came in the 72ndminute following a corner from Stuart Dallas. The ball was knocked down to Rainey, and he volleyed home from close range.
While he was the hero, defender Colin Coates proved the villain – sent off four minutes from the end for a dangerous tackle on Stefan Lavery.
Unfortunately, it came too late for Dungannon.
One goal was always likely to be enough for a Crues side who hadn’t conceded in their last eight cup ties, especially against a team desperately short of firepower.
Much of the pre-game focus had centred on Swifts’ goalkeeping position, with Jonny Curran standing in for the suspended Niall Morgan.
However, the 25-year-old had little to do, protected by a resolute defensive performance which was led by the outstanding Emmet Friars.
Instead, Swifts’ problems lay at the other end of the pitch, where they carried little threat and failed to land a single shot on the Crues’ goal over the 90 minutes.
While Stephen Baxter can start preparing for a third Irish Cup final in four years, against Linfield or Newry City, Dungannon’s focus must revert to the league.
Survival is still in their own hands, and the closing five games must be approached with the same effort, intensity and commitment as this semi-final.
Because securing a 10thseason in the top division would compensate for missing out on silverware, given the club’s precarious position in the table.
Crusaders always looked the more dangerous, albeit they rarely troubled Curran.
An example came inside 15 minutes when Jordan Owens sent a free header crashing over, while soon afterwards a 30-yard Stephen McBride drive flashed wide.
When they did find a way through the Dungannon defence, Crusaders were frustrated by the linesman with Declan Caddell’s header rightly ruled out for offside.
The best chance of a poor first half came in the 36th minute. Michael Funston’s attempted clearance fell perfectly for Caddell, but his attempted volley sailed over.
Later a throw from Gareth McKeown was allowed to bounce in the box, eventually dropping for Chris Morrow whose angled strike fizzed across the face of goal.
While Dungannon raised the tempo in the second period, their opponents’ goal was rarely troubled.
Indeed Crusaders could have snatched the lead when Dallas’s pass evaded Johnny Montgomery, but Curran was sharply off his line to deny Owens.
They also had a strong penalty appeal when a push on Timmy Adamson went unnoticed, with Morrow’s follow-up strike cleared off the line by Friars.
But the relief was short-lived for Dungannon as the resulting corner located Rainey, a half-time substitute, and he fired the Crues in front and ultimately into another cup final.
CRUSADERS: O’Neill, McKeown, Magowan, Coates, McBride, Morrow, Watson (Rainey, 46), Caddell, Dallas, McMaster (Gibson, 88), Owens (Adamson, 66)
Subs not used: Snoddy, Gargan
DGN SWIFTS: Curran, O’Neill, Montgomery, E Friars, Gallagher, Funston (McMinn, 87), Harpur, Fitzpatrick, Topley, Ward (S Friars, 58), Brolly (S Lavery, 73)
Subs not used: McClean, Murphy
Referee: Raymond Crangle (Belfast)