McAree delighted to be back!

by DSFC Media | Jul 29, 2013 | Uncategorized

Rodney McAree will be back at Dungannon Swifts for the new Irish League season after being confirmed as the club’s first team coach.

The 38-year-old, who left after a brief spell as manager last year, has agreed to return to Stangmore Park for the forthcoming campaign.

He will replace Pat McGibbon, who stepped down as coach at the beginning of pre-season.

But McAree will not be involved in the management side, with Darren Murphy continuing as boss for the 2013/14 season.

McAree said he was delighted to be back, and is looking forward to the new campaign.

“Dungannon Swifts has always been in my blood,” he said.

“I wasn’t happy doing the manager’s job, I didn’t enjoy the hassle which came with it. My preference has always been the coaching side of things.”

McAree resigned as joint manager last October after three months, citing personal reasons and claiming he needed a break from the game.

At the time he hinted that it may not be the end of his association with the club.

In February he returned as Dungannon’s reserve manager. He also made a brief return as first-team coach the following month when McGibbon was away on international duty.

This time, however, McAree is back for good.

“I wanted to involve myself more with coaching and the only way to do that was stepping down as manager and waiting for an opportunity to come along,” McAree added.

“I needed time out, and I didn’t think it was an option to go from joint manager to first team coach, because that would have confused people.

“This has come at the right time and I’m delighted to be back.

“We’ve had a good pre-season and we’re all looking forward to the first game on August 10.”

Murphy, preparing for his first full season in sole charge, said he was delighted to welcome McAree back to the club.

“Rodney has been in the last week or so and I’m delighted,” he said.

“He needed time away from football, he has recharged his batteries, and it is great to have someone of his calibre back coaching at the club.”

Welcome back to the first team Coaching staff Rodney, we wish yourself, Darren and all the boys every success together.

16 year old Ben Hall signs for Motherwell FC

by DSFC Media | Jul 17, 2013 | Uncategorized

Former Dungannon United Youth and most recently Dungannon Swifts player Ben Hall, (pictured above front right) has landed himself a move to Scottish Premier League side Motherwell FC.

Sixteen year old Ben arrived to Dungannon United Youth as an Under 13 player and had three years with the club before signing for Dungannon Swifts last season. Kieran Robinson has been his manager for the four seasons he has spent in Dungannon and he is over the moon for Ben. Ben’s talent was spotted at a young age and he has represented Northern Ireland at Under 15, 16 and 17 levels.

An Omagh lad, Ben, who is over 6 foot tall can play as a central midfielder or as a central defender. He has signed a 2 year deal with Motherwell FC and we would like to wish him every success in the future. Good luck Ben.