Dungannon Swifts 1-2 Glentoran

by DSFC Media | Nov 10, 2013 | Uncategorized

A smash-and-grab victory from Glentoran saw Dungannon Swifts’ winless run continue and left Darren Murphy searching for answers once again.

The Glens completed a league double – despite playing most of the second half with 10 men – courtesy of a late Jason Hill strike.

It was a hugely disappointing result for Dungannon, who have now gone seven games since their last league win.

Many will feel this is the afternoon that dismal run should have ended.

They outplayed the Glens for the first hour, with a Darren Boyce penalty rapidly cancelling out Marcus Kane’s opening goal.

And when Jimmy Callacher walked for a second bookable offence early in the second half, the momentum seemed to be with Dungannon.

But the rousing finale which most supporters expected never materialised, with Glentoran instead seizing the initiative.

The visitors’ goalkeeper, Elliott Morris, was rarely troubled after the red card.

As the minutes ticked down, Glentoran began to sense the game was there for the taking and up stepped Hill to snatch the victory.

It was the Glens’ second win against Swifts this season, having also won the reverse fixture by the same score.

The biggest disappointment for Murphy will be how his side conceded the momentum so easily, having dominated for the opening hour.

Glentoran may still be known as one half of the Big Two, but the 2013 side undoubtedly lacks the aura and fear factor of previous teams.

Certainly they didn’t cause Dungannon many problems in the first half, with their goal entirely of Swifts’ – and in particular Niall Morgan’s – own making.

He failed to deal with a free-kick from Stephen McAlorum, spilling the ball to Kane who converted with the simplest of finishes.

But the goalkeeper’s embarrassment was eased as Dungannon hit an instant reply.

Jamie Douglas was tripped in the box by Richard Clarke, and Boyce levelled by hammering the spot-kick straight down the middle.

The goals aside, it was a half low on genuine chances.

Dungannon drew the first save with Morris blocking a 25-yard free-kick from Douglas, while Boyce went close with an elaborate overhead kick.

The home side threatened again via Ryan Harpur but the midfielder sent his header off target after meeting a cross from Terry Fitzpatrick.

Their goal aside, Glentoran’s only chance came just before the break when Kane set up Richard Clarke, but his drive from the edge of the box drifted just wide.

The opening half had been notable for the number of bookings – six in total – making a sending-off a strong possibility.

It duly arrived when Callacher lost the ball and, as he tried to redeem his error, he fouled Douglas, drawing a second yellow card.

Dermot McCaffrey took the resulting free-kick, rattling the crossbar with his effort.

Everything seemed to be falling Dungannon’s way, but a glaring miss from Boyce would change the course of the game.

A ball over the top released the striker but, one-on-one with the goalkeeper, he wastefully directed his shot wide of the back post.

It was a shocking miss – and Glentoran would take full advantage of the let-off.

There were warning signs when McAlorum crossed to Mark Clarke, whose header was cleared off the line by Adam McMinn.

Dungannon, despite their extra man, were really struggling to keep possession, with the Glens gradually pushing them deeper and deeper.

And with eight minutes left the visitors struck. Kane’s ball to the back post found Hill unmarked, with his shot bouncing over the goalkeeper to snatch the win.

DGN SWIFTS: Morgan, Fitzpatrick (Brennan, 49), McMinn, McCaffrey, Grieve, Harpur (Hazley, 72), Hutchinson, Costello (S Lavery, 58), Douglas, Boyce, C Lavery

Subs not used: Topley, McCullough

GLENTORAN: Morris, O’Neill, Hill, Callacher, Bradley, M Clarke, Stewart, R Clarke (Magee, 57), Kane, Miskimmin, McAlorum

Subs not used: Henderson, Addis, McGuigan, Hughes

Referee: Arnold Hunter (Maguiresbridge)

Ryan Farquhar Achievement Night.

by DSFC Media | Nov 4, 2013 | Uncategorized

The achievements of road-racer Ryan Farquhar have been marked at a special presentation night organised by Dungannon Swifts Football Club.

Farquhar, who recorded more than 300 wins in a career spanning two decades, was honoured at an event attended by 200 guests.

During the ceremony he was presented with a unique trophy made from beech wood in the shape of the Isle of Man, the scene of some of his best performances as a road racer.

Dungannon Swifts committee member Roy Stretton, who helped organise the night with community relations officer Joe McAree, said it was important to recognise Farquhar’s career.

“Joe McAree and myself were talking one night and we were discussing the fact that no-one had recognised Ryan Farquhar’s achievements,We decided the football club should do something for him, and it is great that Ryan’s contribution to local sport has been marked. I would personally like to thank everyone who helped make it such a successful night. ” Mr Stretton said.

Farquhar was led into the ceremony by local piper Scott McKay. BBC sports pundit Liam Beckett compered the event, which included a look-back at Farquhar’s illustrious career by motorsport photographer Stephen Davison.

“We wanted to present Ryan with something unique, and it is fitting to present a Dungannon gift to a great Dungannon sportsman and ambassador, Ryan is one of the biggest sports stars our town has produced and I am delighted that we are the first organisation to mark his achievements. I have to pay tribute to all the people at Dungannon Swifts, particularly Roy Stretton, who gave up their free time to make the night such a success. It shows how much people in Dungannon think of Ryan Farquhar.” added Mr McAree.