by DSFC Media | Nov 17, 2013 | Uncategorized
It was unlucky 13 for Linfield as Dungannon Swifts upset the odds to bring the Blues’ 12-game unbeaten Premiership run to a shuddering halt.
The form book was turned on its head at Stangmore Park where Dungannon, without a win in seven matches, stunned the league leaders.
A first half goal from Jamie Douglas proved the difference as Swifts claimed only their third ever Premiership victory against David Jeffrey’s side.
And no-one could argue with the outcome, least of all the Linfield manager, after his side were outplayed for large periods of the game.
The Blues had not lost in the league since a 2-0 defeat at Crusaders in August, and would have expected to stretch that run to 13 games against Dungannon.
But they rarely looked like turning this match around once Douglas scored.
Swifts boss Darren Murphy made four changes to his side, including a full debut for teenager Kris Lowe, and got the reaction he wanted.
They produced one of their best performances in recent memory to halt the Blues’ juggernaut and claim their first league victory since September.
While Douglas will grab the headlines with his winning strike, this was a highly impressive all-round team performance.
An assured defensive display, led by the outstanding Dermot McCaffrey and supported by the midfield four, provided the platform.
The only goal came in the 37thminute, with Dungannon finally benefitting from some long overdue good fortune.
Cameron Grieve started a counter-attack with the ball finding its way forward via Matt Hazley and then Johnny Topley. It eventually reached Douglas whose effort deflected off Kyle McVey, taking it over the goalkeeper and into the net.
Prior to that, the best chance of a first half short on clear chances had fallen to Linfield.
Jim Ervin slipped a pass inside to Brian McCaul, and his effort was creeping into the net before being tipped on to the crossbar by Niall Morgan.
The goalkeeper did not get the credit for a fine save, however, with the linesman – part of a Latvian refereeing contingent taking part in an exchange programme – awarding a goal kick.
Before the game Murphy had warned his players to be wary of a strong Linfield start, but the visitors struggled to land shots on target.
Aaron Burns had two early efforts, shooting wide of the near post before seizing a poor pass from Morgan, cutting inside and firing narrowly over.
Dungannon’s first chance of note came in the 27th minute. A clever flick from Darren Boyce played in David McCullough but his touch took the ball wide, with the final effort not troubling the goalkeeper.
Most of their work in the first half was focused on defending, with Linfield enjoying the majority of possession.
However, Morgan wasn’t overly troubled and when Douglas scored, few could say it was against the run of play.
Indeed Dungannon had chances to stretch their lead either side of half-time.
First Jonathan Tuffey got a strong hand to prevent a cross-shot from Douglas creeping inside the far post. Then soon after the restart a kick-out found its way through to Boyce, but the goalkeeper was quickly off his line to thwart the striker.
At the other end Andy Waterworth had a rare chance when he took a pass, turned sharply but directed his shot just wide of the top left-hand corner.
Jeffrey introduced former Swifts striker Mark McAllister as he chased an equaliser, but the bigger problem was in midfield where the Blues lacked creativity.
It was only in the final 15 minutes when the visitors really threatened.
Morgan darted out to prevent Philip Lowry converting Jamie Mulgrew’s pass, then brilliantly denied Conor McMenamin from close range with his left foot.
Perhaps Linfield sensed it would not be their day when McCaul missed a great chance late on.
Ervin sent in a deep cross to pick out the player, but his header back across goal narrowly missed the target, much to the frustration of Jeffrey on the touchline.
DGN SWIFTS: Morgan, Grieve, Lowe (Brennan, 82), McCaffrey, McMinn, Hazley (S Lavery 77), Topley, Hutchinson, Douglas, Boyce, McCullough
Subs not used: Fitzpatrick, Harpur, C Lavery
LINFIELD: Tuffey, McVey, Waterworth, Lowry, BJ Burns (Ervin, 21), A Burns, Ward, Clarke (McMenamin, 75), Tipton (McAllister, 55), Mulgrew, McCaul
Subs not used: Knowles, Glendinning
Referee: Vadims Direktorenko (Latvia)
by DSFC Media | Nov 10, 2013 | Uncategorized
A smash-and-grab victory from Glentoran saw Dungannon Swifts’ winless run continue and left Darren Murphy searching for answers once again.
The Glens completed a league double – despite playing most of the second half with 10 men – courtesy of a late Jason Hill strike.
It was a hugely disappointing result for Dungannon, who have now gone seven games since their last league win.
Many will feel this is the afternoon that dismal run should have ended.
They outplayed the Glens for the first hour, with a Darren Boyce penalty rapidly cancelling out Marcus Kane’s opening goal.
And when Jimmy Callacher walked for a second bookable offence early in the second half, the momentum seemed to be with Dungannon.
But the rousing finale which most supporters expected never materialised, with Glentoran instead seizing the initiative.
The visitors’ goalkeeper, Elliott Morris, was rarely troubled after the red card.
As the minutes ticked down, Glentoran began to sense the game was there for the taking and up stepped Hill to snatch the victory.
It was the Glens’ second win against Swifts this season, having also won the reverse fixture by the same score.
The biggest disappointment for Murphy will be how his side conceded the momentum so easily, having dominated for the opening hour.
Glentoran may still be known as one half of the Big Two, but the 2013 side undoubtedly lacks the aura and fear factor of previous teams.
Certainly they didn’t cause Dungannon many problems in the first half, with their goal entirely of Swifts’ – and in particular Niall Morgan’s – own making.
He failed to deal with a free-kick from Stephen McAlorum, spilling the ball to Kane who converted with the simplest of finishes.
But the goalkeeper’s embarrassment was eased as Dungannon hit an instant reply.
Jamie Douglas was tripped in the box by Richard Clarke, and Boyce levelled by hammering the spot-kick straight down the middle.
The goals aside, it was a half low on genuine chances.
Dungannon drew the first save with Morris blocking a 25-yard free-kick from Douglas, while Boyce went close with an elaborate overhead kick.
The home side threatened again via Ryan Harpur but the midfielder sent his header off target after meeting a cross from Terry Fitzpatrick.
Their goal aside, Glentoran’s only chance came just before the break when Kane set up Richard Clarke, but his drive from the edge of the box drifted just wide.
The opening half had been notable for the number of bookings – six in total – making a sending-off a strong possibility.
It duly arrived when Callacher lost the ball and, as he tried to redeem his error, he fouled Douglas, drawing a second yellow card.
Dermot McCaffrey took the resulting free-kick, rattling the crossbar with his effort.
Everything seemed to be falling Dungannon’s way, but a glaring miss from Boyce would change the course of the game.
A ball over the top released the striker but, one-on-one with the goalkeeper, he wastefully directed his shot wide of the back post.
It was a shocking miss – and Glentoran would take full advantage of the let-off.
There were warning signs when McAlorum crossed to Mark Clarke, whose header was cleared off the line by Adam McMinn.
Dungannon, despite their extra man, were really struggling to keep possession, with the Glens gradually pushing them deeper and deeper.
And with eight minutes left the visitors struck. Kane’s ball to the back post found Hill unmarked, with his shot bouncing over the goalkeeper to snatch the win.
DGN SWIFTS: Morgan, Fitzpatrick (Brennan, 49), McMinn, McCaffrey, Grieve, Harpur (Hazley, 72), Hutchinson, Costello (S Lavery, 58), Douglas, Boyce, C Lavery
Subs not used: Topley, McCullough
GLENTORAN: Morris, O’Neill, Hill, Callacher, Bradley, M Clarke, Stewart, R Clarke (Magee, 57), Kane, Miskimmin, McAlorum
Subs not used: Henderson, Addis, McGuigan, Hughes
Referee: Arnold Hunter (Maguiresbridge)
by DSFC Media | Nov 4, 2013 | Uncategorized
The achievements of road-racer Ryan Farquhar have been marked at a special presentation night organised by Dungannon Swifts Football Club.
Farquhar, who recorded more than 300 wins in a career spanning two decades, was honoured at an event attended by 200 guests.
During the ceremony he was presented with a unique trophy made from beech wood in the shape of the Isle of Man, the scene of some of his best performances as a road racer.
Dungannon Swifts committee member Roy Stretton, who helped organise the night with community relations officer Joe McAree, said it was important to recognise Farquhar’s career.
“Joe McAree and myself were talking one night and we were discussing the fact that no-one had recognised Ryan Farquhar’s achievements,We decided the football club should do something for him, and it is great that Ryan’s contribution to local sport has been marked. I would personally like to thank everyone who helped make it such a successful night. ” Mr Stretton said.
Farquhar was led into the ceremony by local piper Scott McKay. BBC sports pundit Liam Beckett compered the event, which included a look-back at Farquhar’s illustrious career by motorsport photographer Stephen Davison.
Mr McAree said Farquhar had made a tremendous contribution to local sport and helped to put Dungannon on the map.
“The Ryan Farquhar Achievement Night was about recognising that contribution,” he said.
Farquhar is the most decorated rider in Irish road-racing history with 199 wins on Irish roads at international and national level. He has four Isle of Man TT wins to his name, the last of which came in the Supertwins class in June 2012. The hand-made plaque, made by Heraldic Craft in Dungannon, lists all of Farquhar’s 337 wins on all circuits.
“We wanted to present Ryan with something unique, and it is fitting to present a Dungannon gift to a great Dungannon sportsman and ambassador, Ryan is one of the biggest sports stars our town has produced and I am delighted that we are the first organisation to mark his achievements. I have to pay tribute to all the people at Dungannon Swifts, particularly Roy Stretton, who gave up their free time to make the night such a success. It shows how much people in Dungannon think of Ryan Farquhar.” added Mr McAree.
by DSFC Media | Nov 2, 2013 | Uncategorized
An injury-time equaliser from Joe Gormley cruelly denied Dungannon Swifts as they came so close to toppling the champions in North Belfast.
The striker scored in the 92nd minute to salvage a point, just when it seemed Cliftonville’s long unbeaten run in this fixture was over.
It was a crushing blow for Dungannon boss Darren Murphy, who slumped to his knees on the touchline after the goal, but he can take pride from his side’s battling performance.
Just seven days after a humbling five-goal defeat against Portadown, they produced a gutsy display full of character and commitment.
A back line which had been so exposed by the Ports was reshuffled, including a first start for goalkeeper Niall Morgan, and proved a lot more difficult to break down.
The midfield regained its competitive edge while the return of James Costello complemented a more industrious, hard-working, team performance.
The one disappointment for Murphy will be that his side could not hold out to secure a much-needed win and end their winless run in this fixture.
It is now 18 games since Dungannon last beat the Reds, and they won’t come any closer than this to finally banishing that unwanted record.
Most will agree the result was about right. Cliftonville had more efforts on goal, but Dungannon created by far the clearest chances.
The game itself took some time to develop, with a thrilling second half compensating for the poor quality offered up in the opening 45 minutes.
Dungannon created the first two chances with a last-ditch Jamie McGovern tackle denying Darren Boyce before Ryan Harpur’s audacious lob from the halfway line landed just wide.
It took the home side 19 minutes to test Morgan. Gormley drove forward and cracked a right-foot shot which was well blocked.
But a Cliftonville goal three minutes before half-time threatened to undo much of Swifts’ good work.
Liam Boyce collected a ball from Diarmuid O’Carroll and dashed past Terry Fitzpatrick, before firing a left-foot effort into the far corner.
Buoyed by the goal, the Reds almost snatched a second via O’Carroll, but his drive from a promising position lacked accuracy and flashed over.
The match came to life in the second half, which was played in appalling conditions as heavy rain poured down around North Belfast.
Dungannon levelled eight minutes after the restart. Costello twisted and turned his way past a defender and teed up Boyce, who rifled home with a powerful half-volley.
It drew a response from Cliftonville and O’Carroll worked his way into a shooting position before dragging a right-foot shot wide of the target.
Then a searching pass sent Gormley hurtling towards goal. He eased Cameron Grieve off the ball but Morgan was quickly off his line to close down the chance.
Dungannon twice went close to taking the lead.
Jamie Douglas was spectacularly denied by Conor Devlin before Boyce somehow missed a great chance when one-on-one with the Reds’ goalkeeper, wastefully slicing the ball into the side-netting from a few yards out.
Morgan, pitched straight into action after rejoining in midweek, was also being kept busy and blocked two Gormley efforts from the edge of the box.
But as the Reds pushed for a way through, Dungannon snatched the lead.
Chris Lavery advanced down the left wing, cut inside and hit a low strike which beat the goalkeeper too easily, creeping past Devlin at his near post.
As the seconds ticked down, Murphy became increasingly agitated on the sidelines.
But just as it seemed Swifts would hold out, Cliftonville showed their championship mettle with a late, late equaliser.
The clock had ticked into the 92nd minute when Boyce got to the byline and pulled the ball across for Gormley, who stabbed home at the back post.
CLIFTONVILLE: Devlin, McGovern, Scannell, McMullan, O’Carroll (Donnelly, 65), Smyth, Catney, Gormley, Murray (Curran, 54), Doherty (Caldwell, 72), Boyce
Subs not used: Johnston, Garrett
DGN SWIFTS: Morgan, McMinn, McCafferty, Grieve, Fitzpatrick, Harpur, Hutchinson, Costello (Doyle, 71), C Lavery, Hazley (Douglas, 44), Boyce
Subs not used: Brennan, Lowe, McCullough
Referee: Raymond Crangle (Belfast)
by DSFC Media | Oct 26, 2013 | Uncategorized
It was a pre-Halloween horror story at Stangmore Park where a Dungannon Swifts side lacking in spirit were routed in a one-sided Mid-Ulster derby.
A hat-trick from Darren Murray helped the Ports to a convincing victory as they claimed their first league win in four games.
But as the clocks go back and the dark nights set in, the lights are rapidly going out on Dungannon’s once promising start to the season.
This was their fourth straight Premiership loss, and undoubtedly their most depressing performance of the campaign to date.
An error-strewn defensive display, summed up by another shocking blunder by goalkeeper Gareth Buchanan, gifted Portadown the points.
Afterwards Darren Murphy was left reflecting on what he branded his most disheartening afternoon in 22 years of Irish League football.
The Dungannon boss could only watch in frustration as the Ports raced into a three-goal lead, aided by some woeful Swifts defending.
On the basis of this performance it is difficult to see where Swifts’ next win is coming from.
Add in a difficult run of games against Cliftonville, Glentoran and Linfield and they could easily be dragged into the relegation fight.
The deadlock was broken after 17 minutes when three players were drawn towards Kevin Braniff, allowing Gary Twigg to dart in behind and score with a left-foot drive.
If that was careless then the second goal a minute later was even worse.
A deep cross from Braniff should have been easily collected by Buchanan but he made a complete hash of it, dropping the ball for Murray to head home.
Perhaps the pre-match downpour had left the ball slippy, but it really was no excuse for an appalling error from the goalkeeper.
The third goal after 27 minutes was more than preventable as well, Murray diverting home Chris Casement’s corner at the front post.
It could have been even worse with the visitors spurning several other chances in a dominant first half performance.
Another effort from Murray was cleared off the line by Fra Brennan while Ports new-boy Shane O’Connor was denied a debut goal by Buchanan.
Dungannon’s best effort of the half fell to Darren Boyce. He broke through the visitors’ defence but directed his attempted lob well off target.
No doubt Murphy would have been grateful for the half-time break to instil a bit of organisation and focus into his players. However, his plans were ripped up straight after the restart.
Just 58 seconds had elapsed when Braniff clipped a clever pass into the box, no-one reacted and Tim Mouncey converted with a simple header.
Dungannon had a rare chance when Boyce slipped the ball out to Stefan Lavery, but his pull-back was sent wide by Ryan Harpur.
They went close again soon afterwards when Matt Hazley won possession and played in Boyce, with his low drive clipping the post.
However, the Ports threatened more goals every time they got forward.
It hadn’t been a great afternoon for Buchanan, but he went some way to redeeming his earlier error with a fine, one-handed save to deny Twigg.
He produced another important block as Twigg turned provider for Braniff, getting a touch to deflect the ball wide.
However, Murray capped a five-star performance from the Ports late on.
Neil McCafferty won possession in midfield and played a clever ball, which Murray controlled before slotting into the bottom corner.
DGN SWIFTS: Buchanan, McKerr (Lowe, 22), Brennan, Copeland (McCullough, 59), Grieve, Harpur, Hutchinson (Topley, 59), Fitzpatrick, Hazley, Boyce, S Lavery
Subs not used: C Lavery, Douglas
PORTADOWN: Miskelly, Casement, Breen, McMahon (Judge, 27, McStay, 72), Murray, Braniff, Mouncey (Rooney, 81), McCafferty, Twigg, O’Connor, Friars
Subs not used: Brennan, Ramsey
Referee: Mark Courtney (Dungannon)
It was unlucky 13 for Linfield as Dungannon Swifts upset the odds to bring the Blues’ 12-game unbeaten Premiership run to a shuddering halt.
Jim Ervin slipped a pass inside to Brian McCaul, and his effort was creeping into the net before being tipped on to the crossbar by Niall Morgan.
