They may not have seen too many wins, but Dungannon Swifts fans have certainly enjoyed their fair share of sensational goals this season.
The latest addition to an ever expanding collection came via the left boot of Johnny Topley, whose classy half-volley snatched a point against Donegal Celtic.
It was his first touch after coming on as a second half substitute, and a stunning way for the midfielder to mark his comeback from long-term injury.
And it proved crucial, rescuing a deserved point against the West Belfast side.
This result will have left boss Dixie Robinson with mixed feelings, and once again frustrated by his side’s failure to perform consistently for 90 minutes.
A poor first half saw the visitors lead through Declan O’Hara, but a dreadful goalkeeping blunder gifted Darren Murphy an equaliser soon after the restart.
Another Darren, Celtic’s Murray, put the visitors back in front and looked like slamming the brakes on Swifts’ vastly improved second half showing.
But then Topley came to the rescue with a goal every bit as memorable as the efforts from Dermot McCaffrey and Joe McCready which have lit up recent matches.
This was another of those clichéd game of two halves from Dungannon.
After a lacklustre opening 45 minutes, Swifts upped their game in the second period and looked the team more likely to win in the latter stages.
Taking just a point is disappointing. Dungannon had not won since the sides’ previous meeting last month – but Robinson had cause to be optimistic ahead of the rematch.
Donegal Celtic are one of just two teams that Swifts have beaten this season and do not have a good record at Stangmore Park, winning just once.
Yet they were on course to improve that record after O’Hara’s 30th minute opener.
It originated from a defensive mix-up. Adam McMinn’s failure to deal with a cross saw the ball reach Ryan Henderson, whose shot was deflected wide.
And the resulting corner from Kevin Keegan was met by O’Hara, with the defender outmuscled Ryan Mullan to head past the goalkeeper.
It was one of few chances in a low quality first half.
Dungannon were first to test the ‘keeper, with Michael Funston collecting a pass and driving forward before forcing Robert Robinson to make the block.
DC’s other effort came via Jonathan Harkness, whose long-range free-kick narrowly cleared the crossbar.
The game, like Dungannon, desperately needed inspiration – and moments after the restart it arrived in fortunate circumstances.
A horrible error from Robinson allowed Funston’s cross to slip from his grasp, and Murphy was waiting to knock the ball into an empty net.
Suddenly it was a different game – more open, passes finding their target, a greater energy and purpose from Swifts’ attacking players.
Yet DC threatened on the break and, after outwitting Mullan, Henderson’s angled strike drew a flying save from Niall Morgan.
The warning wasn’t heeded and another DC attack resulted in a second goal.
Eamon McAllister was allowed to drive up the right wing and he pulled the ball across for Murray, who got to the cross first and forced it over the line.
The goal drew an immediate response from Robinson. Shea Campbell and Ryan McCluskey were hauled off, with Shea McGerrigan and Topley coming on.
And the gamble paid instant dividends, with the latter drawing Dungannon level.
It followed more good approach play down the flanks, this time from Craig McClean. He crossed towards Topley who, after allowing the ball to bounce, scored with a stunning strike.
Dungannon had chances to snatch the points – Stefan Lavery just missed connecting with a ball across goal – but DC held on for a draw.
The Swifts committee met on Tuesday 11th October and proposed that former 1st Team Manager and General Manager, Joe McAree, become the new Chairman of Dungannon Swifts F.C. Joe agreed to take up the role of Chairman, a position that has been vacant now for a number of weeks. Past Chairman Jarlath Faloon has also stepped in to fill the Vice Chairman’s seat.
Both Joe and Jarlath are big Swifts club men through and through. Joe in particular is no stranger to everyone in Irish League footballing circles having taken the first team from the old ‘B’ Division into the Irish Premier League.
Speaking to us about his appointment as Chairman, Joe McAree told us “When I was asked to be Chairman, I couldn’t possibly have said no, I couldn’t turn my back on many friends at the Club, and on a Club that I love so dearly. I will do my best and hopefully that will be good enough. I will need everyone to give me their backing and I mean, everybody, we will work together as a team both on and off the field for the good of Dungannon Swifts F.C.”.
Everyone at Dungannon Swifts is delighted to have Joe as our new chairman and Jarlath as Vice Chairman.
Chris Scannell was the man with the X Factor as his double helped Cliftonville to a comprehensive victory over struggling Dungannon Swifts.
But for Dixie Robinson it is more a case of the fear factor after the prospect of a first victory against the Reds was crushed in North Belfast.
Cliftonville are the only side that Dungannon have yet to beat since Robinson took charge in April 2009, and this result ensures that dismal run goes on – at least until Wednesday night when the teams meet again, this time in the League Cup.
But while the record books will show a not-so-magnificent seventh straight defeat in this fixture, the result does not tell the full story of the game.
The sides were level for 74 minutes after Michael Ward cancelled out Scannell’s early strike.
But then Scannell struck for the second time, stretching his league tally to seven goals when he capitalised on a slip-up in the Swifts’ back line.
Later efforts from Rory Donnelly and Joe Gormley added gloss to a Cliftonville victory which was nowhere near as emphatic as the score suggests.
Now the sides meet for a second time this week, when Robinson will hope to finally banish his winless run in this fixture.
Yet the cup is somewhat down the priority list, with the Dungannon boss surely more concerned about Swifts’ struggles in the league.
This result leaves them second bottom, while breathing fresh impetus into Cliftonville’s title hopes after a dismal run from Tommy Breslin’s men.
Just a month ago the Reds had been third in the table, but a disappointing tally of one point from four games had seen them slide to seventh.
And Dungannon could have added to their woes through Stefan Lavery, whose blistering strike forced a fingertip save from the goalkeeper inside the first minute.
A positive start by both teams then saw Cliftonville take a sixth minute lead.
Niall Morgan failed to clear a Stephen Garrett corner, and the ball dropped for Scannell who adjusted his feet before dispatching a left-foot strike into the net.
Yet that early setback failed to dampen Dungannon’s morale and Johnny Montgomery forced Ryan Brown into action again with a 30-yard free-kick.
Morgan then denied Scannell a second, using his feet to block an effort, before Ward drew Dungannon level in the 36th minute.
It followed more good work from Lavery, who delivered a perfect cross from the right wing, with Ward powering a diving header past the ‘keeper.
Terry Fitzpatrick’s effort rattled the crossbar and then Darren Murphy shot wide as Dungannon finished the half in positive fashion.
But similar to the previous weekend’s match at Ballymena, Swifts were unable to sustain that promising play into the second period.
Instead Cliftonville showed a greater sense of purpose with George McMullan and then Scannell forcing efforts on the visitors’ goal.
And Scannell gave them the lead for a second time with 16 minutes remaining.
He chased after a header from Barry Johnston and, when the defence failed to deal with the danger, was perfectly placed to tap home.
And as Dungannon pressed for a late equaliser, Cliftonville snatched a third on the break as Donnelly converted Johnston’s cross.
And in the final minute substitute Gormley made his mark on the game, his long-range strike flashing past Morgan to make it four.
As the Swifts prepare for a double-header of League and Cup action against Cliftonville, the North Belfast Club are offering supporters the opportunity to make savings at the turnstiles. Anyone who attends this Saturday’s Carling Premiership fixture will be presented with a voucher which will entitle them to discounted admission for Wednesday’s Irn-Bru League Cup clash – at either end of the ground! Be you a Member, Cliftonville Season Ticket or Family Ticket holder or a fan who pays cash at the gate on a weekly basis, you’ll be rewarded for your support thanks to special midweek rate of just £7 for Adults and £3 for Concessions so make sure you pick up your voucher at the turnstile this Saturday.
Another superb strike from Dermot McCaffrey rescued Dungannon Swifts and left Ballymena United still searching for their first home win.
The defender scored his second goal of the season with just 10 minutes remaining as Dungannon collected a deserved point at The Showgrounds.
And just like his strike at Donegal Celtic last month, it was something special.
McCaffrey has gained a reputation for scoring spectacular goals and this effort had added value because it rescued Dungannon in a game which seemed to be slipping away.
But for Ballymena the wait for a home win goes on. They have played six games this season on their own ground and failed to win any of them.
This was the perfect example of a game of two halves.
Dungannon dominated the first 45 minutes but did not manage the goal which their enterprising play deserved.
Michael Ward wasted their best chance by blasting wide from the penalty spot, while they also had a goal controversially ruled out for offside.
Ballymena improved significantly in the second half, sparked by Gary McCutcheon’s 48th minute goal which broke the deadlock and changed the flow of the match.
Swifts’ good play quickly faded – until McCaffrey’s dramatic late equaliser.
This result will have disappointed Dixie Robinson, who must have been targeting three points against Roy Walker’s inconsistent side.
Ballymena’s record in this fixture is pretty miserable with just one victory since February 2007.
And home fans must have feared that wretched sequence would continue after a first half dominated by Dungannon.
Playing in their fluorescent green away strip for the first time, Swifts’ slick, passing football and attacking play was equally eye-catching.
Early on Ryan O’Neill was brilliantly denied by goalkeeper Wayne Drummond, who reacted sharply to push the his powerful header wide.
It took Ballymena around 20 minutes to make an impact on the match, with Jordan Baker and Aaron Jenkins both going close when well placed.
Yet Dungannon continued to offer the greater threat and had the ball in the net after 30 minutes, albeit Stefan Lavery’s effort was controversially ruled out for offside.
Robinson, prowling angrily along the touchline, clearly disagreed with the decision.
But Swifts’ best chance came five minutes before the break.
Craig McClean won a penalty after being fouled in the box by Aaron Stewart. Unfortunately Ward could not capitalise, sending his spot-kick well wide.
It seemed only a matter of time before Dungannon’s good play was rewarded – but then Ballymena snatched the lead three minutes into the second half.
Conor Downey pumped a corner into the box and, after a series of deflections, the ball dropped perfectly for McCutcheon who turned it over the line.
Suddenly it was a different game with Ballymena seizing the attacking initiative, and one passage of play saw them denied three times in a matter of seconds by some desperate Dungannon defending.
It was all now depressingly familiar for Robinson, with the free-flowing football of the first half giving way to the same scrappy play of recent games.
Jenkins and McCutcheon both had decent chances but could not stretch their side’s lead.
Then, with 10 minutes remaining, McCaffrey drew them level with a stunning equaliser.
Dungannon won a free-kick on the edge of the box and the defender’s curling strike found the net before Drummond could get a touch on the ball.
Lavery missed a great chance to snatch the points after being set up by Ward, while Tony Kane’s late free-kick was kept out by Swifts ‘keeper Niall Morgan as the points were shared.
