Swifts Manager, Rodney McAree with new signing, Gael Bigirimana.
Dungannon Swifts are thrilled to announce the permanent signing of Gael Bigirimana, the creative central midfielder who played on loan with the team last season. At 31 years old, Bigirimana’s move to Dungannon has become permanent, marking an exciting new chapter for both the player and the club.
Bigirimana, a talented Burundian footballer, has settled well into life at Dungannon. His love for the club and the town, combined with the happiness of his family, has influenced his decision to stay. Despite interest from clubs across the water and another Irish League club, Bigirimana chose to remain at Stangmore Park, demonstrating his commitment and passion for Dungannon Swifts.
Known for his creativity on the field, Bigirimana has already made a significant impact during his loan spell. His permanent signing is a moment of celebration for everyone at the club. As he continues to wear the number 34 shirt, Bigirimana is eager to give back to the club and looks forward to the upcoming season and its challenges.
Welcome to Stangmore Park, Bigi!
Watch our exclusive interview with Gael Bigirimana below and join us in celebrating his return.
Dungannon Swifts have made an exciting addition to their squad with the signing of central midfielder Bobby Jack McAleese. Known for his dynamic box-to-box style, McAleese’s football journey is marked by determination and resilience. He began his career with Bertie Peacock Youth, showing early promise that led him to Coleraine FC. His talent soon caught the eye of Nottingham Forest, where he continued his development.
However, McAleese faced significant challenges, including an injury setback and the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. These hurdles prompted a return home, where he played for Portstewart FC and then Glebe Rangers, steadily rebuilding his career.
The move to Dungannon Swifts represents a fresh start and a new opportunity for McAleese, facilitated by John Gregg’s support in helping to gain the move for him. His versatility and relentless work ethic make him a valuable asset for the team, and fans will be eager to see how he impacts the squad in the upcoming season. We got a taste of his ability last week at Rathfriland Rangers and hopefully we will see lots more during the season ahead.
For those interested in travelling to the Newry and Portadown matches over the next two weeks, please click on the image below and sign up for the Bus on our Facebook page. More details to follow.
Congratulations to Padraig Lynch who has been rewarded, for all his hard work, with his first professional contract at Dungannon Swifts Football Club. This is fantastic news for the eighteen year old forward who is a very dedicated player.
“Since arriving through the doors of DUY indoor community programme as a 7 year old it didn’t take long for us to realise that Padraig was a talented young lad. He always had a great football brain and an eye for scoring all types of goals from those early days and this has continued right up until now as he has scored 30 goals already this season. We are delighted to see Padraig get his first professional contract with the club and I have no doubt that he will have a very good future ahead of him. “
Dixie Robinson
Congratulations Padraig, we wish you every success with your new contract.
Dungannon Swifts are proud to announce the loan signing of Jordan Jenkins from Glentoran FC until the end of the season.
Although Jordan is only 22 years of age, he brings with him the experience of over 100 appearances across spells at Carrick Rangers, Portadown, Glentoran and, a successful period, at Glenavon where he played in several Europa League qualifiers. Jordan also turned out for the Northern Ireland U19’s and has an international goal at that level.
Swifts fans can expect hard work, determination and a willingness to press opposition back lines, which makes Jenkins an ideal candidate to lead the line in the high pressing Dean Shiels’ system. Jenkins is also prone to drop deeper when his side needs support in the defensive phases of the game, operating in the space between the opposition defence and midfield and help trigger the press for the side. In attacking transitions, Jenkins likes to play on the shoulder of the last defender, using his pace and control to make goal scoring opportunities for himself or team mates.
Jordan has the opportunity to take the field against Knockbreda FC this coming Saturday in the Irish Cup, only a stones throw away from where he grew up. Your first opportunity to support him at Stangmore Park this season will be in the Mid Ulster Cup final on Tuesday the 7th of February.
Dungannon’s fine run of home form was brought to an abrupt end by a ruthless Coleraine side on Saturday, but the 3-0 scoreline did not tell the full story.
The Swifts matched the visitors for much of the game but conceded late in both halves to miss the chance to record a sixth straight win at Stangmore and climb out of the league’s bottom two.
Instead it was to be a ninth consecutive victory for the Bannsiders over Dungannon as they extended their unbeaten run in league and cup to 14.
The home side had lined out with four changes from the team hit by six at Glentoran last Tuesday, with Michael Ruddy, Cahal McGinty, Gerarda Bruna and Joe McCready coming in for Steven Scott, Padraig Lynch, Ryan Mayse and Oran O’Kane.
Coleraine were missing midfielder Jamie Glackin through suspension and Conor McKendry with injury, with Lee Lynch and recent signing Andrew Scott promoted to the starting 11.
From the kick-off there was no sign of the frailties on display at the Oval. Dungannon played with intensity and tested the Bannsiders’ backline with probing balls for the pacy Rhyss Campbell and Marc Walsh, although there were no clear-cut chances created by either side.
Caolan Marron and Mayowa Animasahun marshalled the defence and maintained a disciplined high line which repeatedly caught the Coleraine attack offside.
The Swifts did come within inches of taking the lead in the final minute of the half, when a ball sprayed out left by James Knowles was collected by Bruna and his low cross was deflected onto the bar by Coleraine skipper Stephen O’Donnell.
In stoppage time, however, it was the visitors who took the lead when Scott released top scorer Matthew Shevlin with a perfectly weighted pass and his shot was partially blocked by Declan Dunne, only to trickle agonisingly over the line as the keeper and McGinty both desperately tried to intervene.
The second half was a similar story, with Dean Shiels’ men enjoying possession but limited penetration and feeling themselves hard done-by when the second goal eventually came.
Cahal McGinty appeared to have been pushed over in the 81st minute before conceding a corner but despite appeals, play was allowed to continue.
Lynch’s resulting delivery was not cleared and fell to Coleraine subsitute Eamon Fyfe inside the six-yard box and he managed stab it in.
Dungannon played with more urgency, with Mayse coming close from distance, but the visitors extended their lead in the 89th minute when a Josh Carson cutback allowed the prolific Shevlin to slot home his 19th league goal of the season and 50th for the club.
Later he would be denied a hattrick when a header bounced onto the crossbar, while the Swifts had attempts from substitutes Padraig Lynch and Joe Moore.
Afterwards, Dungannon boss Dean Shiels rued the late first-half goal, which originated from a throw-in at the other end of the field.
“We were probably the better side in the first half but we concede one minute into injury time and they don’t, and that’s the momentum swing.”
He said the 3-0 scoreline flattered Coleraine, as his side took risks in the last 10 minutes to secure a point, and paid tribute to the team’s efforts.
“The effort of the players was everything, they gave everything they had. Second half we came out and responded well, we looked to play on the front foot again. I think we dominated the ball throughout the game, we took the ball off Coleraine, but in the last third they had more quality than us.”
Coleraine coach Oran Kearney said he had expected a reaction from Dungannon after the heavy defeat to Glentoran and praised his players for standing firm in the first half.
“They were patient to a man and at times, like a game of chess, we had to hold a certain area of the pitch and a certain territory, and wait and wait and wait and be patient and not get caught and not give them any injections or any big great hope more than anything else, and to a man I thought we were brilliant.”
Next up for Dungannon is a visit to Knockbreda in the fourth round of the Irish Cup, followed by an away trip to Crusaders in the league.
The Swifts then return to Stangmore three days later for a Valentine’s night date with second-place Larne.
of his ability last week at Rathfriland Rangers and hopefully we will see lots more during the season ahead.
