Mascot Rowan McAree leads the team out alongside Johnny Montgomery
Dungannon Swifts slumped to their second defeat in five days as Glentoran’s flying start to the new campaign continued at Stangmore Park.
A second half double from Andy Waterworth saw the East Belfast side claim an all too comfortable victory in the early September sunshine, advancing to second place in the table.
This was the biggest test of the season so far for an injury-stricken Dungannon, and one most supporters did not expect them to profit from.
But they certainly would have anticipated a more energetic and committed performance from a team aiming for a first home win this term.
They got neither, as Dungannon were outfought and outplayed by the Glens.
Adding to the frustration was a suspected hip injury to Emmet Friars in the first half, with the defender joining an ever-growing casualty list.
The one positive for Dungannon was a 22-minute cameo appearance from Jamie Glackin, the Tyrone midfielder who impressed so much in the Milk Cup.
He offered a confidence and desire which was sadly missing from too many other players.
Yet it looked so different at the halfway stage. Dungannon were level after Stephen O’Neill smashed an immediate reply to a Glentoran goal, adding to his collection of terrific strikes.
O’Neill took possession 22 yards out and, spotting the goalkeeper off his line, hit a stunning volley which crashed in off the crossbar.
It came less than a minute after Glentoran had gone in front.
JP Gallagher was harshly penalised for a push on Richard Clarke, resulting in a penalty. Jay Magee confidently sent the ‘keeper the wrong way from the spot.
The Glens arrived at Stangmore Park as one of only two unbeaten teams left in the league, and had started the game in positive fashion.
Waterworth was their main threat, firing into the side-netting early on before glancing a header wide following a probing Stephen Carson cross.
It took 27 minutes for Dungannon to draw Elliott Morris into action.
A long kick from Niall Morgan, one of six players recalled to the team, came off Clarke and fell kindly for Sean Friars, but his snapshot was well saved.
Magee then produced a great defensive block on Joshua Cahoon’s strike after an O’Neill effort had been saved, with the ‘keeper eventually punching Friars’ follow-up shot clear.
It seemed Glentoran had seized the initiative when Magee turned striker to convert the penalty, but O’Neill ensured the lead lasted barely 60 seconds.
The Glens threatened towards the end of the half and Waterworth sent an effort just wide following a pass from Sean Ward.
Dungannon had chances to edge ahead after the break, Friars testing the ‘keeper with a 30-yard free-kick while Stefan Lavery had an effort blocked from a Ryan O’Neill cross.
But they were dealt a hammer blow when Glentoran went back in front seven minutes after the restart.
Jim O’Hanlon was allowed time and space to cross the ball and, after Clarke’s header was blocked, Waterworth was left free to fire home.
An apparent foul by Elliott Morris on Lavery which went unpunished had home fans on their feet, but the initiative was swinging back Glentoran’s way.
Morgan produced a brilliant block to keep out O’Hanlon’s drive, and from the resulting corner Jimmy Callacher’s header was cleared off the line.
However, it was third time lucky for the Glens in the 66th minute. O’Hanlon’s neat flick found Waterworth, who clinically dispatched a low drive into the far corner.
Dungannon rarely looked like turning the game around, and were perhaps fortunate not to concede again.
A defensive slip-up gave O’Hanlon the ball but his lob went just over, while John McGuigan fired wide of the post after a neat turn and shot.
DGN SWIFTS: Morgan, R O’Neill, Montgomery, E Friars (S Lavery, 35), Gallagher (Glackin, 68), Fitzpatrick, Topley, Hazley, S Friars (McKerr, 60), S O’Neill, Cahoon
Subs not used: Brennan, Murphy
GLENTORAN: Morris, Clarke, Magee, Ward, Waterworth, Carson, Clarke, Hill, Callacher, O’Hanlon (Murray, 84), Birney (Howland, 13, McGuigan, 78)
Subs not used: Gibson, Bradley
Referee: Colin Burns (Newtownabbey)
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