Dungannon Swifts manager Kris Lindsay has further strengthened his squad with the addition of midfielder Dylan O’Kane.
O’Kane, from Bangor, has recently returned from America where he spent four years at college – the first two with Tiffin University, Ohio and the last two with Wingate University, North Carolina. Before this he was on the books of Crusaders FC.
Dylan, 22, has impressed throughout preseason – both in training and during matches with his tenacious and hard working attitude.
Upon signing for the Swifts, O’Kane said;
“Its a brilliant feeling, I’m enjoying preseason. I’m really looking forward to the season starting, to get stuck in and try and help the team the best I can.
Swifts Manager, Lindsay, added;
“I’m delighted to get Dylan signed up, he has been in America for the last four years. He, again, fits the profile of players that we are looking for at this club. He’s young, hungry and technically very good on the ball and he feels like he has a point to prove. He fits right in with our squad and im really looking forward to working with him.”
Welcome to Dungannon, Dylan. We wish you every success.
It is with great pleasure we announce the signing of frontman, Lorcan Forde, who put pen to paper tonight, amid interest from other Irish League Clubs.
The Newry native joins us on a two year deal having been released by Linfield at the start of September. Forde spent the first half of last season on loan to Warrenpoint Town and rejoined his parent Club in January 2020.
Forde guested for us in a friendly against Ballinamallard United on Saturday past where the versatile forward impressed, scoring the second goal, in our two nil win.
Lorcan made his debut for Warrenpoint on 19th November 2016 in a league game v H&W Welders aged just 17 years and 12 days. In total he played 67 games for Warrenpoint Town scoring 10 goals (that includes his loan spell with the club last term). He won the Championship with Warrenpoint Town in 2016/17. Forde moved to Linfield in May 2018 signing a 3 year deal.
Swifts Manager, Kris Lindsay, pictured alongside new signing, Lorcan Forde.
A happy Kris Lindsay said; “I am pleased to get Lorcan signed on a two year deal. He is a talented boy and maybe it just didn’t work out for him at Linfield but we want to give an opportunity for him to get back enjoying his football again and playing games. He fits the profile of players we want at this club, he’s young, he’s hungry and technically very good and he will add another dimension to our forward options. I am delighted to get the deal done and I look forward to working with Lorcan over the next two seasons.”
An excited Lorcan Forde had this to say; “To be honest I am glad to be at a club where I am going to be playing football again this year. Last year I didn’t get much playing time but I think Kris (Lindsay) and the lads will give me a bit more of an opportunity. I hope to repay that with a couple of goals and a really good season. This is a team who are built around a good, young side, playing good, positive football. It’s not just kick it a long and running after it. I also know plenty of the lads and I think I’ll really enjoy it here.”
Lorcan will wear the number 12 jersey this season.
Welcome to Stangmore Park Lorcan, we wish you every success.
Manager, Kris Lindsay, has moved swiftly to secure the signature of talented young goalkeeper, Conner Byrne, on a three year professional contract.
Three year professional contract, Conner Byrne
Seventeen year old Conner has played at numerous underage levels, for Northern Ireland, on the International Stage. Conner made his debut for Dungannon Swifts against Linfield in the League Cup game on 8th October 2019. He played a total of 14 games and kept 3 clean sheets.
L-R: Keith Boyd, Chairman, Conner Bryne and Stuart Addis, Goalkeeper Coach.
Goalkeeper Coach, Stuart Addis, had this to say; “I’m absolutely delighted for Conner on signing this contract, it’s nothing more than he deserved. He came in last season for us when we needed him to and he was superb. He grew in confidence the more games he played. Conner is a pleasure to work with, his attitude and work ethic is excellent. I’ve no doubt that Conner has a bright future ahead of him in his footballing career.”
Conner Byrne –“Ever since I signed for Dungannon last season, the Club, coaches and players have treated me brilliantly and I’ve enjoyed every minute that I have been here. The goalkeeping coach, Stuart Addis, has been top class and I have learned an awful lot from him since I joined the Club.”
Congratulations on your professional contract, Conner, from all at Dungannon Swifts Football Club.
The AGM of Dungannon Swifts FC will take place on Wednesday 30th September 2020 in the main function room, at 7pm. Covid social distancing rules will be observed. To try and keep the meeting to as short a time as possible, all nominations for committee positions will be done in advance of the meeting.Nominations for positions must be sent via email to secretary@dungannonswiftsfc.co.uk by no later than Sunday 27th September. The name of the person proposed and both the proposer and seconder must be on the email, and all must be fully paid members of the club.
There is one notice of business – That the trustees of the club be replaced by a company limited by Guarantee. This company will have directors appointed from the committee as elected at this AGM.
The rest of the business of the AGM will be as normal procedure. If the Covid Regulations change before the AGM and are altered in such a manner that make it impossible to be held on this date, a new date will be set for as soon as possible.
DSFC First Team recently presented their Awards for the 2019/20 Season.
With the Season having been cut short we understandably didn’t have the opportunity to hold a proper awards ceremony for the players and supporters to enjoy this year. The players who won awards were recently presented with them at Stangmore Park. First Team Manager , Kris Lindsay talks us through the awards presented.
Dougie Wilson
Conner Byrne
Michael Carvill
DSFC First Team Award Winners for 2019/20 Season
Dougie Wilson – Player of the Year & Top Goal Scorer & Manager’s Player of the Year Dougie fully deserves to win this Award. He changed positions have way through the season and was excellent. He popped up with some really important goals throughout the season. Dougie is a top, top player and he’s a leader both on and off the pitch and this showed in his performances last season.
Conner Byrne – Young Player of the Year. Conner came into the squad during difficult circumstances last year and acquitted himself superbly. He got better and better with every game and had a sustained run in the team. For such a young player he has a good head on his shoulders and as long as he continues to learn and work hard he has a big future ahead of him. A fully deserved award.
Michael Carvill – Supporters Club Player of the Year Michael is absolutely deserving of this award. He has years of experience within the League but he never lets his standards drop . Michael is the one who sets the standards for everyone else and he put in some magnificent performances last year. Hopefully he can kick on and continue that this season.
All of the lads are top pros, the performances fully justified their rewards. Hopefully in the upcoming season we will have a full season to kick on and see what we can do within the League and the Cups.
Thank you to the full squad for their commitment and professionalism to DSFC throughout the 2019/20 season and congratulations to all the award winners.
