by DSFC Media | Dec 13, 2013 | Uncategorized
The spotlight will be on Dungannon Swifts in the new year when they play in front of the Sky Sports cameras and a national television audience.
Dungannon’s clash at Crusaders has been selected as the channel’s fourth live Irish League fixture of the season.
The game, originally scheduled for January 4, will now take place on Monday, January 6 with a 7.45pm kick-off to facilitate live coverage.
It is only the second time a Dungannon game has been selected for coverage by the broadcaster.
Dungannon Swifts community relations manager Joe McAree said he was delighted that the team would be televised again.
However, he is hoping that a home game will be selected in the near future to allow a national audience to see the quality of the club’s Stangmore Park facilities.
“I’m obviously delighted that Dungannon Swifts will feature on Sky television again, albeit the game is in Belfast,” Mr McAree said.
“I would love to see a home game screened live and I think we deserve for the cameras to come here in the near future.
“We have a lovely ground which would look very well on Sky TV.”
Stangmore Park has previously featured on television when Dungannon were competing in the all-Ireland Setanta Cup tournament.
It has also hosted a televised under-16 Victory Shield match involving Northern Ireland.
Mr McAree said he had no doubt Dungannon would put on a good show for the cameras.
“Our stadium always looks so well on television and it would be great for the club, the supporters and the sponsors to have a home match,” he added.
“I have no doubt Sky TV would be very impressed with our facilities.”
That, however, is for the future. The immediate focus is on the January 6 date at Seaview.
And if it’s anything like the last time Dungannon played in front of the cameras, Irish league supporters will be in for a treat.
Their only other Sky game was at Cliftonville in January 2012.
In another Monday night fixture, they fell just short as the nine-man Reds held on for victory in a thrilling encounter.
It was a game which had everything – chances at either end, red cards, late drama and a goal of the season contender from Barry Johnston.
Cliftonville edged ahead after 11 minutes when a Martin Donnelly free-kick wasn’t dealt with, and the ball dropped for Joe Gormley to fire home.
The home side doubled their lead in sensational style in the second half, via a superb right-foot volley over the ‘keeper from Johnston.
But it was only the start of the drama, with Dungannon striker Sean Friars immediately pulling it back to 2-1.
As the clock ticked down, the red mist descended, and Aaron Smyth and Donnelly were sent off within the space of 60 seconds.
Dungannon nearly made Cliftonville pay right at the finish, with Ronan Scannell’s goal-line clearance dramatically denying Johnny Topley an injury-time equaliser.
Next month’s Monday night live game will be the third meeting between Swifts and Crusaders this season.
In early September the sides played out a 1-1 draw at Seaview.
A second half header from Ryan Harpur saw Dungannon come from behind to claim a point after Gary McCutcheon had scored for the hosts.
And last weekend Crusaders claimed a 1-0 win at Stangmore Park.
A 39th minute strike from Paul Heatley was the difference in a hard-fought match.
by DSFC Media | Dec 8, 2013 | Uncategorized
A defensive lapse ended Dungannon Swifts’ three-game winning run as title challengers Crusaders passed another significant test at Stangmore Park.
The league leaders maintained their position at the top of the table after a strike from Paul Heatley overcame a determined Dungannon side. While not a classic, flowing performance from the Crues, it was the type of battling, gritty result on which championships are so often built. For Dungannon it was a disappointing loss, made all the more frustrating by the error which gift-wrapped Crusaders what proved to be the winning goal.It came in the 39thminute when Fra Brennan failed to cut out a long ball forward, allowing Heatley to ghost in and fire home a right-foot shot. But Swifts manager Darren Murphy can take consolation from a hard-working, committed performance from his players.
In a closely-fought game, they limited Crusaders to a handful of chances and had opportunities themselves to take something from the game. The best fell to David McCullough, Ryan Harpur – who impressed on his return to the team – and, most invitingly, to Matt Hazley in the final seconds. Harpur’s energy and defensive work in midfield was a positive, albeit Dungannon did miss the injured Johnny Topley’s class and experience. The loss of Jamie Douglas’s attacking guile, also because of injury, made their task more difficult.
Darren Boyce, their leading scorer and November’s player of the month, rarely threatened albeit he suffered from a lack of service. For Crusaders this was another important win although, as manager Stephen Baxter pointed out, the season is only at its halfway point. It is still too early to make definitive judgements on their title chances. The Crues had hit top spot last weekend and were quickly into their stride at Stangmore Park, stringing together some promising moves in the opening stages. Gary McCutcheon had the first chance with a neat turn and shot from distance, while the impressive Heatley tested Niall Morgan with a 25-yard snapshot. But the best chance of the opening half came in the 22nd minute. Stefan Lavery’s strike was spilled by the goalkeeper but Sean O’Neill redeemed his error by making an important block to prevent McCullough converting the loose ball.
The game began to open up towards the end of the first period. A Jordan Owens pass found Chris Morrow in the box, he missed his kick but got the ball across to Heatley, only for him to pull his shot wide.
Crusaders were starting to pose more of a threat, aided by some hesitancy in the home back line, and this led to the opening goal.
A promising Dungannon attack broke down and, as the ball was pumped forward, Brennan failed to cut out the danger, allowing Heatley to cut inside and fire home. It was a hugely disappointing way for Swifts to go behind, and it could have got worse three minutes later. Another error, this time from Adam McMinn, saw the ball find its way to Owens, but he opted to take his shot early and rifled just wide. Boyce, who had been quiet thus far, had a chance after the restart but couldn’t find the target with a free-kick from wide on the left. The second half was largely subdued, but as the game entered the final quarter of an hour, Dungannon threatened an equaliser.
A foul on Chris Lavery led to a free-kick, with Harpur’s well-struck effort just a little too central, allowing the goalkeeper to tip it over. But the best chance came in stoppage time. McMinn set up Jamie Glackin, who opted to cross instead of shoot with Hazley directing his header just wide of the back post.
DGN SWIFTS: Morgan, Brennan, McMinn, McCaffrey, Grieve, McCullough (Hazley, 58), Hutchinson (Costello, 85), C Lavery, Boyce, S Lavery (Glackin, 82), Harpur
Subs not used: Lowe, Fitzpatrick
CRUSADERS: O’Neill, Leeman, Magowan, Coates, Robinson, Morrow, Heatley, Adamson, McCutcheon, Owens (Snoddy, 76), McClean
Subs not used: Hanley, McMaster, Watson, McAllister
Referee: Raymond Crangle (Belfast)
by DSFC Media | Nov 30, 2013 | Uncategorized
Dungannon Swifts produced their best performance of the season so far to claim a third successive victory against Mid-Ulster rivals Glenavon.
A hat-trick from Darren Boyce – which included two penalties – was the key factor in this hugely impressive win at Mourneview Park.
It takes Boyce’s tally for the season so far to 12 goals in 14 appearances.
And while the striker will deservedly grab the headlines for his treble, it was a superb all-round team performance.
So good was Dungannon’s display that a talented and expensively-assembled Glenavon side were made to look quite ordinary.
Their use of the ball was measured and intelligent, allowing the front pairing of Boyce and Jamie Douglas to exploit huge gaps in the home back line.
Chris Lavery’s pace and direct running caused real problems, with the midfielder’s work-rate and defensive graft complementing an eye-catching performance.
Douglas was again outstanding and, only for the hat-trick by his strike partner, would have been most people’s pick for man of the match.
But it was a night to forget for Glenavon who, after such a promising start to the campaign, are now starting to slide back down the table.
Much of their problems on Friday evening were of their own doing, with a high defensive line being exploited time and again by the visitors’ attack.
The opening goal after 10 minutes set the tone for the night ahead.
A long kick-out from Niall Morgan sliced through the defence, ricocheting off Gareth McKeown and falling perfectly for Boyce to fire home.
It was a dreadful goal to concede at any level of the game, but it summed up an error-strewn performance from Glenavon.
They had a rare chance early in the game. The ball was played inside to Guy Bates, but his strike was brilliantly tipped over by the goalkeeper.
Instead, Dungannon continued to threaten and doubled their lead in the 26th minute.
Rhys Marshall was penalised for pushing Douglas inside the box, resulting in a penalty.
With Matt Hazley suspended, Boyce was back on spot-kick duties, and powered a right-foot effort into the roof of the net.
In the sides’ last meeting in August, Glenavon had overturned a two-goal deficit but they rarely looked like repeating that feat on Friday.
Indeed, it was Dungannon who threatened to add to the score.
Another long goal-kick caused more defensive confusion, finding its way to Boyce whose attempted lob landed just wide of the target.
Soon afterwards a Dermot McCaffrey free-kick found Johnny Topley, but his header grazed the far post with John Connolly beaten.
Then just before the break Lavery’s cross fell to David McCullough, however, his close-range strike was smothered by the goalkeeper.
Dungannon boss Darren Murphy must have wondered whether his side might regret not killing off the game in the first half.
But they continued to dominate after half-time, and not even the introduction of player-manager Gary Hamilton could rouse Glenavon.
The home side struggled to land efforts on goal. David Rainey had a rare chance, but his 25-yard blast was straight at Morgan.
Instead Swifts continued to threaten, and a better first touch from Lavery in front of goal would surely have seen him convert a neat Douglas pass.
The game was over as a contest when Dungannon scored a third in the 72nd minute.
Boyce was fouled by the goalkeeper but recovered to take the resulting penalty, directing his kick into the bottom left-hand corner.
Chris Lavery and substitute Stefan Lavery had chances to stretch the lead, but both of their efforts flashed narrowly wide of the back post.
The only positive on a miserable night for Glenavon came four minutes from time.
Shane McCabe fed Hamilton and, after flicking the ball over Adam McMinn, the striker scored a superb volley.
It was the goal of the night but it had come far too late, with Hamilton’s strike proving the merest of consolations for Glenavon.
GLENAVON: Connolly, McCallion, Murphy, Neill, Bates, Rainey, Patton (McGrory, 70), Marshall (Lindsay, 63), McKeown (Hamilton, 53), McCabe, Martyn
Subs not used: McAlveen, Hoey
DGN SWIFTS: Morgan, Brennan, Grieve, McCaffrey, McMinn, McCullough, Hutchinson, Topley, C Lavery, Boyce (S Lavery, 80), Douglas (Costello, 89)
Subs not used: Fitzpatrick, Glackin, Harpur
Referee: Ian McNabb (Newtownabbey)
by DSFC Media | Nov 29, 2013 | Uncategorized
All primary school children who are accompanied by a paying adult will be admitted FREE to our fixture v Glenavon at Mourneview Park on Friday 29th November.
Thanks to Glenavon FC for this great offer.
by DSFC Media | Nov 28, 2013 | Uncategorized
Ten-man Dungannon Swifts survived a late Ards fightback to claim a first league victory away from their Stangmore Park fortress this season.
A double from Darren Boyce and a Matt Hazley penalty secured a second successive win, moving them up to seventh in the table.
In the end it was harder work than it should have been – or seemed it would be after 18 minutes, by which stage Boyce had put them 2-0 up.
However, Ards, having hit the post in the first half, pulled one back via Neil Dougan, setting up a frantic second period.
Hazley re-established the two-goal advantage from the spot before receiving a second yellow card, leaving Dungannon down to 10 men.
By that stage Ards, having pulled it back to 3-2, were piling on the pressure, but Swifts saw it out to record another important win.
It wasn’t their first away victory – that was the season opener against Warrenpoint Town, played in Dungannon because of the clubs’ ground-share agreement.
The key man was undoubtedly Boyce, just as he was in the sides’ last league meeting in September.
After that game Dungannon went seven matches without a Premiership win, but last weekend’s victory over Linfield, and now this win, suggests they are right back on track.
Unsurprisingly Darren Murphy kept faith with the same 11 who featured against the Blues, and it proved the right call as Dungannon quickly took control of the game.
The opening goal came inside three minutes as Kris Lowe crossed to Hazley, and he cut the ball back for Boyce to convert from eight yards.
The striker almost grabbed a spectacular second. Spotting the goalkeeper off his line, he tried his luck from the halfway line but Gareth McKibbin did well to deny him.
It could have been a very different game had the woodwork not intervened, with Andy Hunter’s 25-yard free-kick coming back off the upright.
Ards’ misery was compounded when they conceded a second in the 18th minute.
Hazley played a superb cross from the left which picked out Boyce, and his looping header back across goal crept inside the far post.
The 2-0 lead made the inclement weather conditions more bearable for visiting fans.
Their afternoon nearly got even better but McKibbin managed to tip Hazley’s corner clear of goal, while David McCullough was well denied by the goalkeeper.
Ards had a rare chance when Dougan cut in from the left but his shot had too much height and went over.
Trailing 2-0 at the break, it seemed a long way back for the home side, but they gave themselves hope two minutes into the second half.
Dougan drifted inside and sent a looping cross into the box which evaded everyone, finding the net to leave the game back in the balance.
Suddenly Ards were in the ascendancy and Niall Morgan had to make a diving save to keep out Scott Davidson’s strike. Hunter and Ryan Henderson also went close with headed efforts.
Dungannon were back in control when they added a third in the 71st minute.
Stefan Lavery was brought down in the box by Steven McCullough, leading to a penalty. Hazley took responsibility, blasting home from the spot.
But Ards ensured a nervous finish, first pulling a goal back when Mark McClelland volleyed in Dougan’s free-kick to make it 3-2 with 11 minutes still to play.
And things became more tense when Hazley – already cautioned for dissent – was sent off for a second booking.
A brilliant fingertip save from Morgan denied Paul McDowell as Ards pushed for an equaliser, but Dungannon held on for another crucial win.
ARDS: McKibbin, Gordon (P McDowell, 85), Hunter, Spence, McCullough, Faulkner, Henderson, Dougan, McClelland, Mitchell, Davidson (Roy, 78)
Subs not used: Smith, D Cully, McMillan
DGN SWIFTS: Morgan, Lowe, Grieve, McMinn, McCaffrey, McCullough, Topley, Hutchinson (Harpur, 46), Hazley, Boyce (C Lavery, 85), Douglas (S Lavery, 54)
Subs not used: Brennan, Glackin
Referee: Tim Marshall (Irvinestown)
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The spotlight will be on Dungannon Swifts in the new year when they play in front of the Sky Sports cameras and a national television audience.
