Pictured: Manager, Dean Shiels pictured with New Signing, Goalkeeper Declan Dunne
Dean Shiels has made first signing of the January transfer window with the addition of goalkeeper, Declan DUNNE.
Twenty one year old DUNNE joins us on a three and a half year deal from Cliftonville FC. Dunne a former Northern Ireland schoolboy International, is a current Northern Ireland U21 goalkeeper and comes to Stangmore Park highly rated.
A St Oliver Plunkett graduate, Dunne has been with Cliftonville FC since he was fifteen years old and only ever left to go on loan to Portadown during the 2018/19 season.
Dunne is looking forward to getting started at Stangmore Park as early as what could be Tuesday night against Warrenpoint Town.
“I was absolutely delighted when I heard Dungannon were first to get in contact about signing me. It was a no brainer for me. I know what the Club are doing at the moment, they have a lot of young players coming through so for me it was a big ‘yes’ to come, develop, progress and hopefully get Dungannon to where they should be in the table again. I’ve played with Oisin Smyth in the NI U21s, and James Knowles at Cliftonville. I’ve also played alongside Caolin Coyle and Cahal McGinty at the NI under age levels. I can’t wait to get in and get the nod from Dean, which will hopefully be on Tuesday night away to Warrenpoint. It’s a massive game against Warrenpoint who are behind us in the table. Hopefully I will be selected and we get the win.”
Declan Dunne
Manager Dean Shiels was visibly delighted to get Declan signed for Dungannon and had this to say on his new signing;
“Obviously I’m delighted to get it over the line, it’s been a problem position since I came in and hopefully now we can get some stability in that position where we can then get stability in our defensive line and that adds confidence and helps with us conceding less goals. Declan is a young keeper that’s been on our radar. He’s got all the attributes to have a great career and we hope that he can come in and play his best football for Dungannon. He’s got great potential and we see him really benefiting the team.”
Welcome to Stangmore Park, Declan and we wish you every success in a Swifts jersey.
We would like to thank Cliftonville FC, Paddy McLoughlin and David Begley for making this move possible for Declan.
Pictured: Manager, Dean Shiels, Goalkeeper, Declan Dunne and Chairman, Keith Boyd.
An opportunity has been made available to become part of the backroom staff for the 2021/22 season at Dungannon Swifts Football Club, who compete in the NIFL Premiership. This position involves working on match days alongside the first team performance analyst. The roles and responsibilities will include filming the game and assisting with pre game and half time information/video clips. For those interested in the coaching/analysis side of it there is also the opportunity to get involved with other aspects of analysis such as training sessions, individual or group presentations and opposition analysis.
If you are interested in discussing the role or have any questions please send a message to any of our social media pages or email media@dungannonswiftsfc.co.uk and we will get back to you!
Dean Shiels has swooped at the opportunity to add a further two names to our squad at Stangmore Park, hours before the season kicks off.
Nineteen year old, centre back, Luke McKendry and twenty four year old, goalkeeper, Michael Quinn.
McKendry spent his youth football at Coleraine FC moving through the ranks there until he moved to Swansea City for two years at sixteen years old. After covid hit the world, McKendry moved back home and joins us at Dungannon Swifts.
“It’s a nice feeling to have signed for Dungannon. It’s been a long year where I have been out of football. Once I heard Dean (Shiels) was interested in bringing me up I came up and I’ve liked everything I’ve seen. It’s exciting the way Dean plays his football and it’s all good things to say. I’m just really looking forward to getting started now. I haven’t played football competitively in a year, I need to be patient, I know there are good players in my position. My aim is to get in the team as soon as possible.”
Centre Back – Luke McKendry
Manager, Dean Shiels, is excited to get working with Luke.
“Luke is a young player with great potential and he’s been across the water with Swansea. He’s been full time and has got lots of characteristics that we look for in a player. I think he’s definitely got great potential to have a good career with us here at Dungannon.”
Manager – Dean Shiels
At over 6 foot tall, Goalkeeper, Quinn, joins Stangmore Park having most recently been on the books of Bury FC and Cabinteely FC.
“Michael is one we had in at the end of last year. He impressed us in training and he’s got great hunger and desire to come and compete for that goalkeeper position. He’s a great attitude. He’s got great distribution with both his feet and his hands. I’m delighted to get Michael as well.”
Manager – Dean Shiels.
Quinn, son of former Sunderland and Man City player, Niall Quinn, is eager to get started with us.
“I’m absolutely delighted to sign, it’s been a long time coming. Obviously I spoke to Dean at the end of last season about coming up but I’ve finally got it done now and look forward to our first game on Saturday. It’s a brilliant group of lads, really easy to get on with. Having the chance to work with Dwayne (Nelson) as well, the goalkeeper coach, he’s been brilliant he’s really been helping me out the last few of weeks. I’ve settled in well, as obviously I wouldn’t know too many of them from playing before, so it’s nice to see some new faces and I’m getting on well. I signed a deal at Bury before things went sour there, great experience for me of full time professional football. Since then, covid came in and things weren’t so easy. It’s brilliant learning curve for me and homed in skills for me. I’m now looking forward to being somewhere like here, getting involved and some more brilliant opportunities.”
Goalkeeper – Michael Quinn
Welcome to Stangmore Park, Luke and Michael. We wish you every success.
Press Eye – Belfast – Northern Ireland – 23rd July 2021
Picture: Philip Magowan / Press Eye
Calling all Dungannon Swifts fans! Sign up now for the NI Football League’s first official online Fantasy Football game ahead of the 2021/22 Danske Bank Premiership season. This exciting new development gives the fans the chance to test their football knowledge and see if they can replicate the success of the Swifts’ boss Dean Shiels in selecting the ultimate Irish League team against other fans. The bespoke application has been developed by Comber-based software developer Nathan McConnell, who is no stranger to the NI Football League as a current player at Lough 41 Premier Intermediate League club Dollingstown and previously played in the top-flight with Portadown. Neil Coleman, NIFL Marketing & Communications said, “This is a really exciting development for the league, and we felt the time was right to bring a high quality Fantasy Football offering to fans this season.” “We’re delighted to be partnering with Nathan on this new venture and we are sure that fans of all clubs embrace the game as a new and fun way to enjoy Irish League football.” Players will select their online panel of 15 players from across all the Premiership clubs and gain points based on the real-life performances of the players on the pitch. Fans can battle out against other players from all clubs but also mini-leagues can be created for friends, family and work colleagues! There is also the opportunity to be Dungannon Swifts’ ultimate Fantasy Football manager with the supporters’ club leader-board. The game is now live and available at www.niflfantasyfootball.com and fans are encouraged to get their teams in now ahead of the first game of the new season on Friday 27 August.
The NI Football League can reveal that all member clubs including Dungannon Swifts will be provided with life-saving defibrillators ahead of the new season.
Following the distressing events at Euro 2020 in Denmark, a risk assessment by the NIFL Board outlined a desire to protect all our clubs to potentially help save the life of someone experiencing a sudden cardiac arrest.
As a result, new defibrillators will be provided to 41 clubs within the NI Football League membership, including all teams in the Premiership, Championship, Premier Intermediate League and Women’s Premiership.
NIFL Chairman Gerard Lawlor said;
“The role of the NI Football League is not just to govern but to serve and protect our membership, and this is an important service that we can offer to our clubs to protect players, supporters and staff.”
“Everyone in football got a real shock at the events in Denmark a few weeks ago, so if this project saves one life over a period of time, we simply can’t put a value on that.”
“The health and welfare of the people connected with our clubs is paramount and sincere thanks to my colleagues on the NIFL Board for their support in delivering this vital support.”
