New signing, Michael Ruddy pictured with Dungannon Swifts Manager, Dean Shiels.
Dean Shiels has confirmed his fourth signing of the summer transfer window as defender, Michael Ruddy.
“I’m delighted to get Michael on board. He was a standout player anytime we played against him last season and he can play a number of positions. He has a great desire to defend and has good leadership qualities. He will bring so much to the squad. It’s an area we have been needing to add experience in and we are delighted to welcome him to the club.”
Manager – Dean Shiels
Newtownabbey native, Michael, began his career at Greenisland Football Club and has been on the books of Ards, Crusaders, Ballymena and most recently Portadown FC. At 28 years old, Ruddy still feels he has plenty to give in the league and comes with plenty of Irish League experience under his belt.
New signing – Michael Ruddy
“Everything happened pretty quick in regards to me joining Dungannon. Dean Shiels made contact with myself, we had a meeting and I liked everything that he was saying to me. It seemed like a perfect opportunity to come down here and see what it’s all about.
I’m pretty easy going, left back is where I’ve played most of my time but last year I was in centre midfield for a good bit and left centre half, I’ve played left wing at some stage too, so there’s quite a few options there. I’m happy to play where ever Dean wants me to play.
As I said I haven’t had much time to think since Saturday as this has all happened so fast but I want to come in and if I can help improve the team that’s what I will try and do. If we can push on and progress from last year then all will be good.”
New signing – Michael Ruddy
Welcome to Stangmore Park, Michael. We wish you every success as a Dungannon Swifts player.
New Signing Dean Curry along with Chairman Keith Boyd
Manager, Dean Shiels, has swooped to make his third signing of the summer bringing in experienced centre half Dean Curry.
I’m delighted to sign Dean. He brings quality to the team, he brings balance being left sided and most of all be brings a willingness to defend. We leaked a lot of goals last season and with his addition to the squad i can see him being a big player for us.
Our scouts watched him multiple times last season and he was a standout in the Championship so I’m looking forward to working with Dean and hopefully he will be a big player for us for the upcoming season”
Dean Shiels – Dungannon Swifts Manager
Curry, 27, joins the Swifts from Championship side Ballinamallard United having previuosly been on the books of Insititute FC where he gained Danske Bank Premiership experience captaining the side. He has also been previously registered to Newbuildings United
Last season, Curry made 32 Championship appearances scoring 1 goal while playing for the Ferney Park outfit.
“I’m glad to have signed and delighted to be back playing in the Premiership with Dungannon. There is a good, young side here which like to play out from the back which will suit my game but most of all I am looking forward to get going with the boys.
We conceded a lot of goals last year so hopefully I will be able to bolster up the defence this season and at 27, I’m coming into my prime and I will be looking to cement my place in the starting XI but there is good, healthy competition with Cahal, Dylan and Garry.”
Dean Curry, Dungannon Swifts New Signing
Welcome to Dungannon, Dean. We wish you the best for the upcoming season.
Dean Shiels makes his second signing of the Summer as he welcomes centre midfielder, Brendan Barr, on loan from Derry City.
Manager, Dean Shiels, with new signing, Brendan Barr.
Twenty-one year old, Barr, was most recently at Ballymena United on loan from the Derry Club.
Described as a versatile player who can operate in a variety of positions, he is best suited to playing as an attacking central midfielder or in the No10 role.
We are excited about the signing of Brendan and Manager, Dean Shiels, is looking forward to working with him.
“I’m delighted to sign Brendan, he’s a player who had a really good season for Ballymena last year. There was a lot of interest in him, in this window. I’m delighted he has chosen to come to us because he had a lot of options. I think he’s going to really benefit the team. He’s got good technique and a good edge, he’s hungry, he’s good in the tackle, he can get forward and add more goals to his game. He’s definitely a player who is going to improve us, he’s hungry to prove a point next year. I think he’s going to be a big player for us.”
Manager, Dean shiels
Brendan Barr
Having started his career with Finn Harps, where he remained until he was seventeen, Brendan then moved to Derry City Academy. After graduating to the first team, at The Brandywell, he played a few first team games and then went on loan to Ballymena United. Brendan has been back training with Derry City again recently but is now eager to get involved with his new team mates when pre season starts again soon.
I’m really looking forward to get working with Dean and Anthony (Gorman). I know l’m going to enjoy playing my football here at Stangmore Park. I want to do my best to play my part in helping the Club climb up the table and keep moving in the right direction.
Brendan Barr
We would like to place on record our sincere thanks to Ruaidhri Higgins and Derry City for making the move for Brendan possible.
Welcome to Stangmore Park, Brendan. We wish you every success as a Dungannon Swifts player.
Pictured: Defender, John Scott, signing for Dungannon Swifts while Manager, Dean Shiels, watches over him.
Dean Shiels has made his first signing of the Summer welcoming Dungannon born, John Scott, back to Dungannon Swifts.
Scott who came through the ranks at Dungannon United Youth and played for Swifts Reserves team until he was seventeen years old, joins us from neighbours Loughgall FC.
John is a local lad with strong ties to the Club. He’s a player who’s been on our radar for the past year and we are delighted to sign him. He’s quick defensively and can play equally as good at centre back and left full back. He’s at the right age were he has great potential to improve and he’s got a great attitude and desire to play for the Club.
I’m looking forward to working with him.
Manager – Dean Shiels.
Scott, who turns twenty-one tomorrow (5th June) and lives only a stones throw away from Stangmore Park, is eager to get going again at his home town Club.
John Scott
I am delighted to sign for Dungannon Swifts. I am looking forward to starting my Irish League Career as a Dungannon Swifts player. I can’t wait to get started and help the team as best as I can. It’s a proud moment for me to sign for my home town and I would like to thank Dean and the Club for giving me this opportunity.
New Signing – John Scott
John is an older brother of our U20’s player Steven.
Welcome back to Stangmore Park, John. We wish you every success!
DUNGANNON Swifts manager Dean Shiels is the Aktivora Manager of the Month for January.
The former Rangers and Northern Ireland player guided the Swifts to league victories over Warrenpoint Town, Larne, Portadown and Carrick Rangers.
He’s only the second man from the Stangmore Park club to win the prestigious monthly prize.
He said: “To get the Manager of the Month award is brilliant for me but I have to give total credit to the staff and especially the playing staff, they’re the ones on the pitch, they’re the ones doing the business for us.
“Each week our team is averaging an age of 21, we have good staff in Tony Gorman, Terry Fitzpatrick and Dwayne Nelson, we’re very tight knit, the physio, the kit man it’s a big effort from everyone.
“It was a big month for us. What started it was the 2-0 win over Knockbreda in the Irish Cup. We used that momentum to go to Warrenpoint. We won at Warrenpoint and took it from there.
“It was a brilliant month for us, and the lads deserve a lot of credit for their effort because there were Saturday-Tuesday weeks in there which is tough going on the squad. It was a collective effort.”
Dungannon Swifts FC are pleased to announce the arrival of Cathair Friel.
Friel in action for Coleraine FC
The striker joins on loan from Coleraine until the end of the season.
After a brief spell at The Showgrounds in 2011, Friel would make his name at Limavady United where his 46 goals in a single season helped the Roesiders win the Championship Two title in 2015/16.
Those performances alerted the attention of Ballymena United as Friel joined the Sky Blues in 2016/17 and he would lift the League Cup, as well as scoring in an Irish Cup final defeat to Glentoran during his time on Warden Street. In total, Friel made 162 appearances and scored 70 times for the Braidmen.
Cathair Friel celebrating a goal for Ballymena United
Speaking about the loan move for Friel, Dunganon Swifts boss, Dean Shiels, had this to say;
“I’m very happy to get Cathair on board. He is a proven Premier League goal scorer and those are hard to come by.
He gives us another dimension to our attack and I’m sure he will thrive with the attacking talent we already have here at Dungannon Swifts”
Dean Shiels – Dungannon Swifts Manager
The 28-year-old finished last season with Carrick Rangers and scored four times in 23 appearances for the Amber Army.
To date, Friel has made 23 appearances for Oran Kearney’s side – scoring six times in the process.
Friel is eligible to feature for the Swifts in this year’s Irish Cup.
We would like to thank Oran Kearney and Coleraine FC for helping to get this deal done and over the line in such a short space of time.
Welcome to Stangmore, Cathair. We wish you well in a Dungannon Swifts jersey.
