by DSFC Media | Dec 10, 2012 | Uncategorized
Neal Gawley goes ‘head over heels’ to celebrate his opening goal
Forget that this was Dungannon Swifts’ biggest victory of the season. The mere fact it was a win – of any description – is of most significance.
The first three-point haul since mid-September was claimed with relative ease as Donegal Celtic were outclassed in this crucial basement battle at Stangmore Park.
Goals from Neal Gawley, Johnny Topley and Josh Cahoon secured a comprehensive victory against the struggling West Belfast club.
The final score adequately reflects a game which Dungannon dominated. With a bit more potency in front of goal, the margin could have been even more decisive.
Having not won for 10 games, the result took precedence over the performance on Saturday.
In the end, however, manager Darren Murphy got both. Dungannon outplayed the struggling Hoops from start to finish, stretching the gap between the sides to seven points.
They were ahead inside 19 minutes when Gawley netted his first goal since signing in the summer.
Chances came and went but Topley made sure of the points when he too opened his account for the season with a simple header.
And Cahoon completed the rout when he netted from the spot. It followed an incident which saw Mark Burns sent off, completing a miserable afternoon for the visitors.
With the league now at its halfway stage, Dungannon sit third bottom but a healthy gap separates them from DC and basement side Lisburn Distillery.
Although hard work still lies ahead, it is a relatively comfortable position going into 2013.
The opening goal was a move of some quality, following a scrappy start to the match.
Matt Hazley fed a terrific ball in behind the visitors’ defence to find Gawley, and he arrived just in time to drive a low, first-time effort into the far corner.
It could have been even better, with Dungannon spurning several chances to extend their lead.
The first came after a neat turn from Topley found Hazley on the edge of the box. His effort was on target but well stopped by the goalkeeper.
Their second, four minutes from the break, was even more inviting.
Hazley, arguably the game’s standout player, delivered a superb ball to Gawley. He crossed for Terry Fitzpatrick but the midfielder, four yards out, failed to make any contact.
By contrast Celtic rarely troubled the Swifts’ goal, Andy Dolan heading their best chance straight at Niall Morgan.
The second half started in a similar pattern with Dungannon dominating the chances.
A searching cross from Fitzpatrick located Gawley in space at the far post, but his header was mistimed and several inches too high.
The visitors’ best period came around the hour mark.
Emmet Friars celebrates with goal scorer Jonny Topley as sends the Swifts into a 2 nil lead at Stangmore Park
Morgan made a decent save to scoop away Dolan’s low effort, while free-kicks in dangerous positions from Conor Downey and Mark Miskimmin looked ominous but came to nothing.
It was an isolated spell, however, with Dungannon quickly seizing back the initiative, and Topley’s 74th minute header wrapped up the points.
Chris Lavery was the architect, sending his corner kick to the back post where Topley was free to head home from three yards.
And an impressive performance was capped with a third goal seven minutes from the end.
Burns fouled Cahoon as he ran through on goal, resulting in a red card and a penalty, with the striker recovering in time to convert the spot-kick.
DGN SWIFTS: Morgan, R O’Neill, Brennan, E Friars, Grieve, Gawley (Glackin, 84), T Fitzpatrick, Topley (Harpur, 89), C Lavery, Hazley (S Lavery, 73), Cahoon
Subs not used: Montgomery, S O’Neill
DONEGAL CELTIC: Connolly, McNamee (McCann, 46), McShane, Hughes, Burns, Downey, Devine (McIlkinney, 76), Dean (Keegan, 46), Miskimmin, Dolan, McAllister
Subs not used: Todd, Dwyer
Referee: Tim Marshall (Irvinestown)
Burns of DC takes down Josh Cahoon in the box.
by DSFC Media | Dec 9, 2012 | Uncategorized
Sean Friars and JP Gallagher have both been released by the club. Swifts Manager Darren Murphy this week released a statement saying:
…”There were some departures this week from Stangmore Park when Sean Friars and JP Gallagher left. I would like to go on record and say what a pleasure it was to work with Sean, he came in last January and his contribution in keeping us in the league was invaluable. Sean was a great pro and easy to work with, we had a conversation last week regards his first team opportunities and at his age he just wanted to play every week, that was something I could not guarantee him. He did not want to sit on the bench, he just wanted to play, so we agreed the best thing for both parties was to release him. I wish him every success wherever he goes and he is always welcome back to Stangmore. ( Sean, when you do come back to watch a game, make sure you bring your wallet and buy me a beer!). Likewise I would also like to thank JP for his efforts while back at the club, unfortunately I never got the opportunity to work with him this time round due to family circumstances and in the end he needed to be closer to home. JP has been a fantastic servant to this Football club over the years and he too is welcome back any time.”
On being released from the club Sean has really enjoyed his time at, he felt the need to express his thanks to the club and a number of people so he himself has passed on this message of thanks below.
I met with Murph last week and after thinking long and hard about leaving Dungannon Swifts, I have made the very difficult decision to move on. This is purely for football reasons and for what we felt was best for both parties.
I would really like to pay particular thanks to Murph for being so understanding. I’m not getting any younger (even though I look younger than Emmet who’s six years younger than me!), and my football playing days will be coming to an end soon, so all I really want to do is play while I can. Murph understood exactly where I was coming from and we agreed, releasing me would be the best answer all round for both Dungannon Swifts and myself. Thanks Murph and Rod for bringing me to such a good club full of many good people. Anyone who doesn’t get the chance to play for the Swifts in their football career or anyone who turns down the opportunity to play for the Swifts – what a massive loss, Very big loss on their part in fact! Guy’s if you ever get the
opportunity grab it with both hands. Great club! Everyone in the club is so friendly which made it very easy for me to settle in as soon as I arrived. I don’t like to name individuals but a few people who are always around the club that have been more than good and helpful to both me and my family are Simon Graham, Sarah Winslow, Paula Gallagher and Keith Boyd. From those guys, to the grounds men, Mrs McAree and Sharon for keeping me well fed and watered, the supporters, stewards, everybody has been more than kind to me.
Pat McGibbon is a great addition to the management staff at the Club. He’ll do well. Thanks to him, Sailor, Pop, Bobby, Hutchy, Steven and all the rest of the backroom staff. Some of these guys who do various jobs, get no money for it. This is because they are there for the love of the club and the love of football. There are very few people in football now who would do that and this is why I think they are all a bunch of fantastic people with their hearts in exactly the right place. I have no doubts at all that the club will continue to drive forward with people like Joe Mac and Jarlath Faloon working so hard with the extensive amount of enthusiasm they are forever showing. Every club needs a Joe McAree and those kind of people.
Dungannon Swifts may be called a small club with a small fan base but all of the people supporting them are a credit to the club. Through thick and thin, from one end of the country to the other, they will always be there and show all the support to the team that is possible. I got to know quite a number of the supporters during my time at the Swifts but one supporter I have to mention is someone I won’t forget for a very long time – probably because he won’t let me forget him…”WEE JOSH” aka Roy, Dungannon Swifts Head Ball Boy! Wee Josh- named after Josh Cahoon, Why I hear you ask? Well that is obvious to anyone who is lucky enough to know the both of them! Roy rings me and texts me every day just to make sure I am ‘Ok’, Cheers for everything wee man! A few others I’d like to mention are wee Paddy, (without him and Roy at training we’d prob still be running round Dungannon Park or somewhere looking for the balls McMinn kicked ‘out of bounds’!), Colin the steward and his wife…What’s her name again?! Ha..yeah, well her, she’s been brilliant to me! I’d also like to thank the two people that sponsored my shirts this season, Paula who I already mentioned and Mark Williamson. Cheers guys.
I’ll end on a positive note by again thanking Murph for how understanding he has been. He has been one really good fella both on and off the pitch to me. I got on really well with Murph and we actually have become quite close throughout my time as a player. All the best this season buddy and to all the lads, you are one great bunch of players and I hope you will be successful. I’ll always be checking for the Swifts result first when the scores come up, hoping the boys get the right
results.
Thanks for everything Dungannon Swifts Football Club,I wish each and every one of you at the club every success while you are involved with management/ backroom staff/supporting the club. Good luck and thanks for everything.
Sean Friars
We as a Club would like to echo Darren’s sentiments and thank both players for their committed service to the club which has been fantastic throughout. We wish both Sean and JP well in the future and we will welcome them back to Stangmore Park anytime! All the best lads.
by DSFC Media | Dec 9, 2012 | Uncategorized
Dungannon Swifts Chairman Mr. Joe McAree is pictured presenting first team squad players Jamie Douglas and Jamie Glackin with their respective Northern Ireland U19 & U17 Caps.
Congratulations to both of the boys on receiving their Caps. Hopefully we will be seeing a few more of them in the not too distant future.
Jamie Douglas pictured receiving his NI Cap from Joe McAree.
Jamie Glackin pictured receiving his NI Cap from Joe McAree.
by DSFC Media | Dec 3, 2012 | Uncategorized
After beating three Crues players, Matt Hazley passes the ball to Josh Cahoon to knock the Swifts into the lead. Crusaders 0-1 Dungannon Swifts.
It was another afternoon of capital punishment for Dungannon Swifts as Crusaders staged an impressive second half comeback at Seaview.
A double from Jordan Owens proved the difference as the Crues closed the gap at the top of the league to five points.
This result maintains Dungannon’s poor away record against Belfast opposition.
Some 15 months and 12 games have now passed since their last victory in the capital – a 2-0 win at Donegal Celtic in September 2011.
And it continues another unwanted sequence, with Swifts’ winless run stretching to 10 games.
Those facts aside, however, this was another encouraging performance from Dungannon.
They impressed in the first period and deservedly led through Josh Cahoon’s strike, his fifth in as many games and ninth of the campaign to date.
The turning point came 20 seconds after the restart when Owens’ volley drew Crusaders level.
It set the tone for a second half of dominance from the home side, and Owens secured the points when he slotted home from Josh Robinson’s cross.
Afterwards Dungannon boss Darren Murphy reflected on another performance packed with effort and commitment.
But he has been in Irish League football long enough to know it is a results business.
Two wins from 18 games is simply not good enough and has to change – starting against basement side Donegal Celtic this weekend.
Those are the type of games he will have targeted and which will ultimately determine Swifts’ fate, rather than the tougher tests against the likes of Crusaders.
Stephen Baxter’s side had lost just once in their last eight matches and were unbeaten at Seaview this season, so Murphy would not have expected to profit from the match.
Yet Dungannon were ahead after 21 minutes. Matt Hazley received possession, ghosting past several defenders before setting up Cahoon for a simple tap-in.
Neal Gawley celebrates with Swifts Goal Scorer, Josh Cahoon
It came during an impressive spell from Dungannon. Moments earlier a cross-shot from Hazley struck the top of the crossbar.
Crusaders had started the game on top with Timmy Adamson’s glancing header drawing an early save from Niall Morgan.
Soon afterwards the impressive Gary McCutcheon crossed towards Owens, but he sent a header wastefully wide from six yards.
Cahoon then broke the deadlock, but Crusaders continued to threaten.
McCutcheon’s angled drive was inches wide, Owens headed off target before Morgan made another good stop to thwart Robinson.
An entertaining half finished with Dungannon going close via an ambitious effort from Chris Lavery, which flashed narrowly over the crossbar.
Clearly unhappy with his side’s sloppy performance, Baxter headed straight down the tunnel at half-time.
But whatever he said during the interval had the desired effect, with Crusaders levelling 20 seconds after the restart.
And it was a goal of some style. A clearance dropped to Owens and he sent a volley crashing past a helpless Morgan from 12 yards.
Suddenly it was a different game with the Crues seizing the initiative.
David Rainey and Colin Coates saw efforts blocked while the ‘keeper made a magnificent one-handed save to claw Owens’ header away from goal.
Morgan’s efforts were keeping Dungannon in the match, and he made another fine block to prevent McCutcheon converting Rainey’s pass.
But there was nothing he could do about Owens’ 69th minute winner.
Robinson crossed from the right wing and Owens stretched out a leg to turn the ball past Morgan, completing an impressive Crues comeback.
CRUSADERS: O’Neill, McKeown, Magowan, Coates, Adamson (Rainey, 27), Robinson, McCutcheon, McMaster, Watson, McClean, Owens
Subs not used: McBride, Leeman, Snoddy, Dillon
DGN SWIFTS: Morgan, R O’Neill (S O’Neill, 75), Grieve, Brennan, E Friars, Harper, C Lavery, Cahoon, Fitzpatrick, Hazley (McMinn, 60), Gawley (S Lavery, 75)
Subs not used: Montgomery, Glackin
Referee: Andrew Davey (Bangor)
by DSFC Media | Nov 28, 2012 | Uncategorized
