On the last day of the transfer window, Swifts Manager, Kris Lindsay made a move to sign midfielder, Niall McGinley.
New signing, midfielder, Niall McGinley
Nineteen year old, McGinley, from Strabane, joins us at Stangmore Park as a free agent, his most recent club was Finn Harps. “I know Caolan McAleer, and he spoke to me about Dungannon, told me that Kris, (Lindsay) was brilliant with the lads. I played with Dungannon United Youth in the Under age squads at youth level and I know it’s the same ethos, right the way through from DUY to Dungannon Swifts. I think it’s brilliant that Dungannon has so much young and experience throughout the squad and I’m looking forward to playing and learning alongside both. I am buzzing to get started and involved with the team, they are on a good run at the moment and hopefully can keep it going.”
Kris Lindsay said; “I am delighted to add Niall to our squad and get him back on board with us in Dungannon. He gives us competition for more options in midfield. He is technically a very good player, who previously played with Dungannon United Youth. Although he wasn’t able to be involved in the game for us today, (his International clearance hadn’t came through on time), he has been training with us and he’s impressed me so far.”
Niall has been presented with the number 43 shirt. Welcome to Stangmore Park, Niall.
Douglas Wilson has been announced as the new Captain of Dungannon Swifts Football Club, with Kris Lowe being appointed the Vice Captain.
We would like to congratulate the players on their new roles at DSFC and wish them every success.
New Captain, Wilson expressed his delight at the appointment. “I’m extremely honoured to be taking over the role as Captain of Dungannon Swifts. I’ve been at the Club for six years now and was appointed Vice Captain at the start of this season but to make the step up to Captain makes me immensely proud. The group of lads we have here is incredible and I’m really looking forward to pushing on with them and trying to build on our recent results.”
New Vice Captain, Kris Lowe, Swifts Manager, Kris Lindsay and New Captain, Douglas Wilson.
Swifts Manager, Kris Lindsay, has added forward Guillaume Keke, from Carrick Rangers FC and defender Francis Brennan, from Loughgall FC, to his playing squad.
New signing, Guillaume Keke, with Swifts Manager, Kris Lindsay.
Frenchman, Keke, joins us at Stangmore Park bringing with him a wealth of experience in the Irish League, having been on the books of Cliftonville, Larne, Ards and most recently Carrick Rangers. His name is not unfamiliar to Swifts fans as unfortunately we have been on the receiving end of many of his goals in the past, hopefully now it will be the opposite way around!
Guillaume had this to say to us tonight; “I am happy to have signed for Dungannon Swifts, I really like it here at the Club. Obviously I know Kris from playing with him and he convinced me to come to Dungannon as he talks about football. I played in all the games at Carrick but I felt that my chances may become limited as they recently signed Darren Murray and I just want to play. I really wanted to come to Dungannon and show everyone what I am about. It is a nice Club. When I played against Dungannon, I always liked the way they played football, it’s one, two touch football. That’s what I like, that’s obviously what I want. I think I scored my ‘prettiest’ goal against Dungannon, so here’s hoping I score lots for Dungannon instead. The fact Dungannon play in blue, just like France, is just a super added bonus!”
Our other ‘new’ signing, Fra Brennan, is of course no stranger to us at Stangmore Park, having previously been a fans favourite, we’re sure he’ll slot back into that role again, very quickly.
Swifts Manager, Kris Lindsay with new signing, Francis Brennan.
Having left us to join Portadown and returning to us via neighbours, Loughgall, Fra admits he maybe did make the wrong move; “I’m back and it’s honestly great to be back! The last time I left, it was sort of very rushed and looking back, it was probably the wrong decision on my behalf. I’m just delighted to get back in, and it’s good to see there are still a lot of familiar faces around the Club and actually the town! I’m pulling into the garage tonight, and it’s still the same guy behind the counter in the petrol station!! Whenever I left I obviously left the Premier League and went down to Portadown for a challenge, and it was harder than I expected in the leagues. Any player in the country will have the ambition of playing as high up as possible. Whenever the opportunity arose to come back to Dungannon, I just felt like I couldn’t turn it down. Any player in the Country, coach or manager, who says they don’t want to be involved at the highest level, would be lying to you. Any one with ambition that’s where you want to be and need to be! Playing at Dungannon when I was part of different teams, it felt weird because I have such a close connection to the Club. However, it is a game and regardless of who I am playing for, whenever you step over the line, I want to win. Even though I probably wanted to playing for Dungannon, as most recently as the Mid Ulster Cup Semi for Loughgall, it was still good to win and go on to the final. Right now, I’m really looking forward to getting back playing with Dungannon!”
A happy manager, Kris Lindsay, had this to say; “I’m delighted to get both Keke and Fra on board. They both bring a wealth of experience with them having both played in the league for a number of years. Obviously Fra has had an excellent start to the season with Loughgall in the championship. Now he is relishing the opportunity to step back up to the premier league. He brings a lot of quality with him, and will add a lot of quality to the squad. He is a also a great character in the changing room which is always a positive. I’m looking forward to getting working with Fra. Keke I’ve known a long time. He’s something different in the forward area that we don’t have at this moment in time, but he’s also a quality player who has a big strong physical presence, but he can also play. He will give us an extra dimension going forward between now and the end of the season.”
Welcome to Stangmore Park, Guillaume and welcome back, Fra!
It is with disappointment we have to announce that current Club Captain, Seanan Clucas, is departing Stangmore Park, to join Glentoran FC. We would like to make it clear to everyone that the Club did try everything within our power to keep Seanan. For his own personal reasons, a move to a Club in Belfast suited him best, at this moment in time, therefore we could not stand in his way. We would like to put on record our thanks to Seanan for all his services to Dungannon Swifts and as Club Captain during his time in the role.
Seanan Clucas
“I’d just like to take the opportunity to thank everybody involved with Dungannon Swifts for the time I’ve spent at my hometown club. From the manager Kris (Lindsay) who’s helped me so much and gave me the opportunity to Captain this wonderful Club, to the coaching staff, everybody who works behind the scenes to keep this club going (you know who you are), the supporters for your support through the good but also being there when times were tough. And finally to the group of players who I had the privilege to captain. Such a fantastic bunch of lads that made my time here what it was, special!! I thank you all. This is an opportunity I just couldn’t turn down for different reasons. I wish everyone all the best for the remainder of the season. Thanks a million once again, Seanan”
Pictured L-R: Swifts Chairman, Keith Boyd, Shane McGinty and Swifts Manager, Kris Lindsay.
As promised, we spoke to new signing, Shane McGinty, yesterday after he played his first minutes for Dungannon Swifts, coming on as an impressive second have sub against Institute FC.
“I’m absolutely delighted to sign for Dungannon. It’s a great opportunity for myself to come here and develop under Kris (Lindsay) and hopefully make a positive impact on the squad for the remainder of the season. Hopefully I can help us finish as strongly as possible in the table. As I only signed on Friday I haven’t had a lot time to settle in, so over the coming days I’ll hopefully get a chance to do so. I was delighted to make my debut today of course, and for us to get such a positive result made it all the better! I had a few people at Dungannon I had to “kiss and make up with” from battles being on opposing teams, in Dougie Wilson and Terry Fitzpatrick which was a good laugh!! On a serious note though, of course I was made feel extremely welcome from players, staff and in general everyone at club which is always nice.”
We wish you every success in a Swifts Shirt, Shane. Welcome to Stangmore Park.
