DSFC Media, Author at Dungannon Swifts FC

Glenavon 2-1 Dungannon Swifts

by DSFC Media | Jan 7, 2015 | Uncategorized

Dungannon Sw glenavon-6-1-15-034 ifts crashed to their first defeat of the new year as Glenavon came from behind to deservedly win this Mid-Ulster derby.

A stunning Kevin Braniff strike early in the second half was the difference at Mourneview Park.

And no-one could argue about the merits of the result, least of all Dungannon manager Darren Murphy.

“The best team won – I’ve no complaints,” Murphy said.

“I thought Glenavon were well organised, they played at a high tempo and their senior players led by example.”

Dungannon took the lead when Ryan Harpur netted against his former club.

But goals either side of the break from Rhys Marshall and Braniff saw Glenavon triumph.

Murphy added: “We got ourselves in front but it was against the run of play.

“Glenavon bossed it at the back, in the middle of the park and up front.”

A miserable night for Dungannon was completed when they lost full-back Cameron Grieve to what looked a serious injury late on.

After impressing as substitutes against Cliftonville, Jamie Douglas and Matt Hazley were both handed starts on Tuesday night.

And the latter provided the assist for Dungannon’s opening goal after 30 minutes.

The best move of the half saw Hazley take a pass from Douglas and play in Harpur. He timed his run perfectly to outpace the home defence and slot beyond the goalkeeper.

But Swifts’ lead lasted a mere seven minutes as Marshall posted a quickfire reply.

The teenager met a corner from Kyle Neill and, with Andy Coleman rooted to his line, he headed home from close range.

Otherwise it was a disappointing game with Glenavon shading the first half chances.

Early on Braniff’s corner fell invitingly for Ciaran Martyn, who dragged his shot wide from close range.

Later a free-kick was flicked on by Declan O’Brien but Martyn fired straight at Coleman.

Douglas went close for Dungannon at the outset of the second period, with his strike from the edge of the area clipping the post.

But Glenavon continued to carry the greater threat and took the lead in the 51^st minute.

O’Brien released Braniff and the striker cut inside from the left, unleashing a sublime strike which curled beyond the goalkeeper’s reach.

Dungannon rarely looked like mounting a comeback, with another effort from distance from Douglas being gathered by James McGrath.

Braniff had a great chance to make it 3-1 but, after great footwork to find a gap, the ball ricocheted to O’Brien whose effort was blocked.

Coleman was also off his line sharply to deny Neill after the ball broke kindly for the full-back.

GLENAVON: McGrath, Murphy, Dillon, Marshall, Singleton, Neill (Hamilton, 89), McCabe, Martyn (Kilmartin, 71), Caldwell, Braniff, O’Brien (Bradley, 73)

Subs not used: Lindsay, Patton

DGN SWIFTS: Coleman, Lowe, Wilson, Burns, Grieve, Hutchinson (McCullough 81), Douglas (S Lavery, 65), Hazley (Liggett, 65), Harpur, Glackin, Mitchell

Subs not used: Armstrong, Sanusi

Referee: Keith Kennedy (Lisburn)

Dungannon Swifts 1-1 Cliftonville

by DSFC Media | Jan 2, 2015 | Uncategorized

An 87^th minute equaliser from Tomas Cosgrove denied Dungannon a famous victory against the champions in their first game of 2015.

The Tyrone side had been on the verge of finally ending a winless run in this fixture stretching all the way back to early 2008.

But for the sixth time this term, they were frustrated in the closing stages.

Both managers will view this as two points dropped, albeit for different reasons.

Dungannon were just three minutes from registering what would have been a massive win in the context of their season.

Meanwhile, Tommy Breslin admitted Cliftonville’s title hopes were hanging by a thread after a fourth straight game without victory.

The draw was probably about right, and in Swifts’ situation a point against the champions must be seen as a positive result.

They frustrated the Reds for long spells, with their makeshift defensive pairing of Andrew Burns and Dougie Wilson particularly impressive.

Cliftonville’s best spells came at the start and finish of a compelling game.

Early on David McDaid was fouled outside the box by Andy Coleman. Two covering defenders meant no action was taken against the home goalkeeper, who blocked Martin Donnelly’s resulting free-kick at his near post.

The Reds thought they had taken a 14^th minute lead when Joe Gormley had the ball in the net after Coleman parried Martin Murray’s strike. However, the assistant referee correctly disallowed his tap-in for offside.

Dungannon failed to test Reds stopper Conor Devlin once in a scrappy opening period.

Their best effort fell to Abby Sanusi, but the winger drilled his left-foot strike over after Jamie Glackin’s corner had been flicked on.

There was controversy when a strong challenge on Glackin by George McMullan resulted in a yellow card, with Dungannon believing the visitors’ captain got off lightly.

Views were exchanged on the touchline, as Swifts boss Darren Murphy expressed his displeasure to Breslin.

The game improved in the second period, starting with a good chance for Cliftonville.

Gormley’s effort from a tight angle was blocked by the goalkeeper, the ball reached Murray at the back post but his strike hit Cameron Grieve.

After a hassle-free opening hour, Devlin was called into action three times in as many minutes.

His first save was simple, gathering a tame effort from Kris Lowe after the teenager had glided through the visitors’ defence.

The second proved more awkward, diving to his left to push Glackin’s free-kick wide.

But Devlin’s best save came from the resulting corner, when he stretched out a glove to block Mitchell’s flicked effort.

Dungannon were growing in confidence and scored in the 75^th minute.

Jamie Douglas cut in from the left, cutting past Eamonn Seydak before drilling the ball across goal for Mitchell to tap home.

It wasn’t quite as eye-catching as Mitchell’s last goal against Glentoran, but it was just as important.

However, Dungannon have a habit of conceding late in games, and their old problem struck again.

Donnelly pumped the ball into the box, James Knowles’ shot fell short but Cosgrove was perfectly placed to rifle home the equaliser.

DGN SWIFTS: Coleman, Lowe, Burns, Wilson, Grieve, McCullough, Harpur (Douglas, 64), Hutchinson, Sanusi (Hazley 60), Glackin, Mitchell (Liggett, 88)

Subs not used: S Lavery, O’Rourke

CLIFTONVILLE: Devlin, Flynn (McGovern, 41), McMullan, McDaid (McCarron, 71), Donnelly, Seydak, Smyth, Winchester (Knowles, 73), Gormley, Murray, Cosgrove

Subs not used: Donnelly, Mulvenna

Referee: Ross Dunlop (Carrick)