Dean Shiels has moved quickly to secure the signature of James Knowles after he was released from Ballymena United.
Manager, Dean Shiels and new signing, James Knowles.
Knowles, 28, joins from the Braidmen on a one year deal.
James, who can play in a few positions in the midfield, started his footballing career off when he signed a professional deal with English side Blackburn Rovers in 2009 from Lisburn Distillery Youth.
Knowles spent 3 years at Ewood Park before returning back to Northern Ireland to sign for Cliftonville FC. Since then, he has represented Linfield, Ards (Loan), Glentoran, and most recently Ballymena United where he spent the last three seasons at the Showgrounds.
“James is a player I’ve always liked. I’ve watched James career for a long time and I know the ability he has. He’s courageous on the ball, wants the ball in tight areas, he’s got a great range of passing and he’s a typical midfielder that will suit our style of play. I’m excited to watch him next season and I’m really delighted to get him on board.”
Dean Shiels
New signing, Midfielder – James Knowles.
“I’m over the moon to sign for the Club. I spoke to Dean at the start of the week and was happy with everything he had to say. He obviously seen me play last year. I loved the way Dean was trying to implement the way the team was trying to play. I seen it from a far and thought it could suit my style of play, so after speaking to the manager I felt I didn’t need to look any further. I’m looking forward to getting going and hopefully show what I can do.”
Dean Shiels has strengthened his squad by bringing in full back Micheál Glynn on loan from Derry City FC.
Swifts Manager Dean Shiels with new signing Micheál Glynn.
Glynn, 19, joined the Candystripes in February 2021 from Ballinamallard United FC where he spent six years with the Fermanagh Club.
“Micheál is an exciting young player, he’s versatile he can play left back, left wing back, left centre back and he’s a player that will suit the style. He can receive the ball he’s dynamic, he gets forward and I’m delighted to get him.”
Dean Shiels
In his early career, Micheál, started off with Enniskillen Rangers before moving to Ferney Park. He spent two years with the senior squad and played along side our first new signing of the season, Darragh McBrien. Glynn was also part of the squad with Ballinamallard Utd when they lost out to Crusaders in the 2019 Irish Cup Final.
Micheál has represented Northern Ireland at Under age level where he was part of the squad for the U17 European Championships. Glynn is also a talented Gaelic Footballer and was instrumental in the winning of the MacRory Cup and Hogan Cup titles in 2019 with his school, St Michael’s Enniskillen.
“I’m delighted to be here, I can’t wait to get going, meet the lads and hit the ground running. Darragh (McBrien) and I are very close. He would be one of my closest friends. We’ve grown up together playing football at Ballinamallard, playing Gaelic together at St Michael’s and known how each other play. We know how well each other play. It was a great move for me to go to Derry City to be in and around full-time football everyday has helped me massively improve as a player. I think that will benefit me in my time at Dungannon and I can’t wait to get games under my belt. Personally I want to play as best as I can for this Club and give it my all. For the Club I hope to get as many wins under our belts as possible and progress from last season. The only way is up!”
Micheál Glynn
Welcome to Stangmore, Micheál! We wish you all the very best in a Dungannon Swifts Jersey!
Back Row L-R: Jamie Smith (Head of Academy Recruitment at Derby County, Keith Boyd (Chairman) & Dean Shiels (First Team Manager) Front Row L-R: Dixie Robinson (Head of Youth Development) & Darren Robinson
Teenage midfielder, Darren Robinson, has signed a Professional Contract with English Championship side Derby County.
Robinson, 16, arrived at Dungannon two years ago from Portadown and has just made his debut for the Club coming on in the last game of the season against Glenavon.
Darren Robinson pictured with proud parents Zelda & Malcolm
An obviously excited Darren Robinson has signed a three year deal with the Championship club and can’t wait to get started.
“Its all I’ve wanted to do ever since I started playing football, to get over the water, I’m over the moon to sign for Derby. I’ve loved every minute of my time here at Dungannon. Dixie, Keith and everyone else have treated me so well and its been a great experience training with the first team.
I chose Derby firstly because the facilities are excellent and the place itself s nice too. I felt more at home there and I really enjoyed my time when I was there.”
Speaking back in January, when “Robbo” as he is known to his teammates, signed his first professional deal with Dungannon spoke very highly of the club.
“I’m very happy to sign my first professional contract and I can’t thank Dungannon Swifts enough for how they have treated me over the last two seasons.”
Darren Robinson speaking in January 2021
Head of Youth Development, Dixie Robinson, is a very proud man having seen another one of the exciting young prospects have a crack over the water.
“Darren has been excellent ever since he has came in. He got the chance to go over to Fleetwood in the winter and he asked could he train with the first team due to COVID restrictions and to be fair to him he has trained so well he has stayed with the first team since. Robbo has also been over at Stoke and most recently Derby where he has decided to sign for on a three year deal.”
Looking to follow in the footsteps of Sean McAllister (Everton), Aaron Donnelly (Nottingham Forest) and Conor Bradley (Liverpool), Dixie believes Darren has what it takes to succeed in the professional game.
“Darren has a great attitude, works tremendously hard, technically very good and he gets about the pitch and I’ve no doubt, with the mindset that he has, I think he will go a long way in the game.”
All the best “Robbo”, everyone at Dungannon Swifts FC wishes you every success at Derby County.
Darragh McBrien along with Dungannon Swifts Manager, Dean Shiels
Dean Shiels has captured the signing of the much sought after Darragh McBrien after beating off competition from Premiership Clubs including Glenavon and Cliftonville.
“Darragh is an exciting talent and I’m really excited to work with him. He is a player that a lot of people won’t know a lot about but im sure they will in a years time. He is a really promising player with a real hunger and desire, he has electric pace and most importantly he is a goal threat. He has turned down some big clubs to sign for Dungannon Swifts which says a lot about his mentality and his desire to come to the club and I’m delighted to have him.”
Dean Shiels – Dungannon Swifts Manager
McBrien, 19, joins on a three year deal from Ferney Park outfit, Ballinamallard United FC.
Ballinamallard United Academy product McBrien attracted attention from a few clubs last summer but decided to stay and develop further with the Championship club.
Darragh featured in the friendly between Dungannon Swifts u20’s and Ballinamallard United as part of the Fermanagh sides preparation for this seasons Irish Cup and caught the attention of Dean Shiels.
“He tore our u20’s to pieces that night, he’s direct and he has an eye for goal. He gets his shots off and there is end product there which we are lacking”
Darragh also was part of the Ballinamallard United side that reached the final of the 2019 Irish Cup, unfortunately losing out to Crusaders.
Darragh McBrien in action for Ballinamallard United FC
“I’m thrilled to have signed for Dungannon Swifts. I’m looking forward to working under Dean and making the step up to the Danske Bank Premiership. I feel like the style of play that the manager wants to implement here suits my style of play. I just can’t wait to get started, meet all the lads and hit the ground running from the get go”
Darragh McBrien – Dungannon Swifts
Welcome to Dungannon Swifts, Darragh! We wish you every success in a Dungannon Swifts jersey.
Pictured: First Team Coach, Terry Fitzpatrick pictured with defender Cahal McGinty
Defender, Cahal McGinty, has signed an extension to his current contract at Stangmore Park which will see him remain at the Club until 2024.
Twenty Year Old McGinty has previously been on the books, at Underage level, with Cliftonville, Glenavon and Lurgan Town. He arrived at Stangmore Park when he was 15 years old and has remained with the Club since then. Cahal came into the team a few weeks ago and scored his debut goal for the first team against Carrick Rangers in our 1-1 draw. He looked hungry and eager to keep involved with the squad.
“I’m delighted to be given the opportunity to play under Dean, The way he wants us to play will hopefully suit me that bit better and allow me to push on. Hopefully now I can get the head down and start enjoying my football.”
Defender – Cahal McGinty
Manager, Dean Shiels, stated when he joined the Club as Manager that he would like to get a look at all the players in the squad and he stuck to his word, giving Cahal an opportunity.
“I’ve had a lot of players to get through and have a look at since I have came in. Cahal has been one of those players who I’ve started off in midfield but deep down I knew he was a centre back. He’s comfortable on the ball, he’s got a lot to learn and a lot to improve on but I like him and I like his attitude. He’s going to be a big player for us moving forward. When I’m asking players to do certain things, they need to be able to be comfortable doing that and Cahal is definitely one that fits that criteria and moving forward Cahal has a big future and hopefully it’s with us at Dungannon.”
Manager – Dean Shiels
Congratulations on the new contract Cahal, we wish you every success in the future.
Defender Cahal McGinty celebrates scoring against Carrick Rangers at the Loughshore Arena
Twenty year old, midfielder, Oisin Smyth, has been named Dungannon Swifts Club Captain. Oisin was presented with the captains armband for the first time against Linfield on Saturday and he will continue to wear it with pride for the remainder of the 2020/21 Season.
Oisin is the personification of what we are trying to build. His style of play matches the teams identity. He’s got the characteristics to lead and become a top player for Dungannon for many years to come.
Dean Shiels – DSFC Manager
After working his way up through the ranks at Dungannon United Youth, like many of our first team players, Oisin broke into the first team in the 2018/19 season and made his first appearance against Warrenpoint Town on 9th October 2018.
Oisin is pictured along with his Grandfather, Pat McGibbon, Senior, (left) and his father Liam Smyth.(right)
Oisin comes from a great footballing family, his father, Liam, played Irish League Football for Portadown, Larne and Lurgan Celtic. He is also the nephew of former Manchester United and Northern Ireland player, Pat McGibbon. Both of his younger brothers play their football in Dungannon and eighteen year old Odhran is also part of the first team squad this season.
“I am delighted to be named as Club Captain. Having been at Dungannon for seven years it means a lot to me personally. I understand the responsibility that comes with it and I’m excited for the challenge.”
Oisin Smyth – DSFC Club Captain
Everyone at Dungannon Swifts FC would like to congratulate Oisin on his appointment of Club Captain and continue to wish him every success in a Swifts jersey.
