MID ULSTER CUP ROUND ONE | FIXTURE INFO
NEW SIGNING | Forward signs for Swifts
Twenty three year old Thomas Maguire is the latest signing by manager, Rodney McAree, to Stangmore Park.
The forward signs for Dungannon Swifts, on deadline day, from Larne FC. Most recently having played for Larne, Thomas has also been on the books of Rottherham U18, Cliftonville, Warrenpoint, NE Sharks (American Scholarship) and was also a Northern Ireland U17 Youth International.
Excited to join us at Stangmore Park, Thomas had this to say;
Swifts Manager Rodney McAree has had his eye on Maguire for some time.
“Delighted to get Thomas eventually, I’ve been a huge admirer of him, ever since he played for Cliftonville. I worked with him briefly at Warrenpoint as well and I worked with him very briefly at Glentoran also and would love to have worked with him at that stage also. Fortunately for him he got a move to Larne but I’m delighted now to get the opportunity. He’s a great lad, scores goals, can create goals, honest as the day is long and is someone who will add a lot of quality to our squad.”
We thank Larne FC in helping to make sure this deal went through today for the benefit of all parties.
Welcome to Stangmore Park, Thomas. We wish you every success for the future.
Thomas will wear the number 19 shirt.
TRANSFER NEWS | MIDFIELDER RETURNS
It is with great pleasure we can announce that former midfielder Grant Hutchinson has returned to Stangmore Park after a break from the Irish League.
Grant was a member of our successful 2018 League Cup winning squad as many of you will remember and has since decided to join up again with his then manager, Rodney McAree.
‘It feels great to be back – almost like I’ve never been away. The opportunity to come back and work with Rodney was very hard to say no to and I appreciate the effort he made to bring me back.
Like everyone I’m looking forward to the season getting started, pre-season has been positive overall but nothing beats the feeling of competitive football. For me personally, my focus for now is getting myself fully fit and into the team.’
Grant Hutchinson – new signing
McAree is equally as delighted as Grant to have him back at Stangmore Park, and had this to say about the Fermanagh lad.
“I’m over the moon to bring Grant back to Dungannon Swifts! ‘Hutchy’ has been training with us through pre-season and we’re delighted to have him on board. He is someone who I admire massively as a player and someone I always wanted to work with again. With not playing for a while it’ll take time for his body to get used to the demands of Irish League Football but he’s getting closer and closer and the wait will be worth it, I’m sure of that!
Rodney McAree – Swifts Manager
We welcome Grant back to Stangmore Park and wish him every success in a Swifts shirt.
Grant will wear the number 21 shirt.
TRANSFER NEWS | DEVINE TO BE NUMBER NINE
Swifts Manager, Rodney McAree, is delighted to announce the signing of Linfield striker, Ethan Devine, on a season long loan to Stangmore Park. The Belfast native, has previously been on the books of Linfield, Knockbreda and Cliftonville.
The 22 year old striker is excited to get started with Dungannon Swifts and had this to say;
“When the gaffer ( David Healy) approached me after the European games to ask would I like the opportunity to go on loan to the Swifts, I said, no problem, definitely. I didn’t get the game time I wanted last season, so I was definitely up for taking the chance. It’s certainly going to be a big stepping stone in my career but I look forward to most, scoring goals for the Swifts. I know Dungannon have a couple of tricky wingers that I would say will definitely create chances in the box for me. I will take hopefully take these chances as they come and hopefully get 10-15 goals at least this season.”
Ethan Devine – New signing.
Swifts Manager Rodney McAree had this to say about his new signing Ethan Devine.
“I’d like to welcome Ethan to Dungannon Swifts. Absolutely delighted to be able to bring a player of Ethan’s calibre to the club. He is technically a very good player who has an eye for goal, he brings a physicality and a presence that will add to us greatly and I’m sure he’ll prove to be an excellent addition to our squad. It’ll be great to get him involved!!
We thank Darragh McBrien for his contribution since arriving from Ballinamallard and wish him all the best in the next chapter of his career, Darragh is a very talented player, hopefully he can remain injury free and go on to be a huge success at Linfield.”
Rodney McAree – Manager
Welcome to Stangmore Park, Ethan and best wishes for your season in the Dungannon Swifts Number 9 shirt.
BACKROOM STAFF CONFIRMED
Dungannon Swifts backroom staff have been confirmed for the 2023/24 Sports Direct Premiership Season.
They are as follows:
Head Coach/Manager – Rodney McAree
Assistant Manager – Dixie Robinson
1st Team Coach – Terry Fitzpatrick
Goalkeeper Coach – Alan Cooke
Strength and Conditioning Coach – Stuart Bell
Player/1st Team Assistant Coach – Ryan Harpur
