The IFA have confirmed that our Danske Bank Premiership fixtures against Glentoran and Linfield that were postponed recently will now be played on the following dates:
Tuesday 5th February: Glentoran v Dungannon Swifts at the Oval. Kick Off 7.45 pm.
Saturday 9th February: Dungannon Swifts v Linfield at Stangmore Park. Kick Off 3.00 pm.
Dungannon Swifts v Linfield has been called off due to a waterlogged pitch after a pitch inspection at 12.30pm today.
The PSNI have advised that all supporters travelling to the match tonight should be made aware the Far Circular Road (the road the entrance to Stangmore Park is situated on) will be closed to traffic coming from the Killyman end. The road will be open for traffic travelling towards Killyman only.
All the Linfield buses have been asked to park along this road so please note the road will be very busy.
All supporters travelling should leave more time for their journey in case of any potential delays.
Thank you.
It was a Matt finish at Stangmore Park, where two goals from midfielder Hazley edged Dungannon Swifts closer to Premiership survival.
He struck twice in the first half of Tuesday night’s game to secure the points against Glenavon and take Dungannon above the Lurgan club in the table.
They were Hazley’s first goals since signing for Swifts in the summer.
His second was particularly noteworthy, a stunning strike from a seemingly impossible angle just moments after Glenavon had levelled.
It was Dungannon’s second successive league win and takes them nine points clear of the relegation zone – plus they have the comfort of a game in hand.
This derby didn’t need any extra spice, but with both sides fighting against relegation there was more than just Mid-Ulster pride at stake.
Add in the large number of ex-Glenavon players in the Dungannon squad – six in the team and three on the bench – and it made things all the more interesting.
Another was sat in the stand with Swifts boss Darren Murphy serving a one-match ban, meaning first team coach Pat McGibbon took temporary charge.
And it was one of those former Glenavon players who gave Dungannon a dream start.
Just six minutes had elapsed when Hazley picked up possession in midfield, cut inside and curled a long-range strike into the bottom left-hand corner.
The midfielder had played a big hand in Swifts’ first chance minutes earlier, setting up James Costello, but his weak shot was easily saved.
Glenavon went close via a Kyle Neill free-kick while Guy Bates appeared to be tripped in the box by Johnny Montgomery – but stayed on his feet rather than go down.
Bates poked another effort just wide from an Andy McGrory cross before Mark Farren wasted a glorious chance to draw them level.
Poor defending allowed Glenavon to cut through the home defence but, after a one-two with Bates, the former Derry City striker shot straight at the goalkeeper.
They had another great chance when Andy Kilmartin played in Farren. He was denied by the ‘keeper with Ciaran Doherty’s follow-up cleared off the line by Adam McMinn.
Hazley’s early goal now seemed a long time ago, and even more so when Farren drew the visitors level in the 41st minute.
McGrory chipped the ball forward and Bates’ knockdown fell perfectly for the striker, who fired home with a low drive from just inside the box.
But their celebrations were soon cut short as Dungannon retook the lead within 60 seconds.
Again it was via a Hazley wonder strike. He eased past Doherty before crashing home a powerful effort from a seemingly impossible angle.
Glenavon introduced a former Dungannon player, Niall Henderson, for the second half.
However, they struggled to recapture the attacking threat they had earlier as the match dipped in quality.
Neil’s corner struck the woodwork while Bates saw an effort deflected wide.
The main action came towards the end, beginning with Dungannon substitute PJ Lavery who had a great chance to wrap up the point – but his low effort was diverted wide by the ‘keeper.
Farren had a late chance to snatch a point only to be foiled by Jonny Curran.
Another great Lavery run looked to settle the match, but his cross-shot was just ahead of namesake Chris Lavery who was free at the back post.
DGN SWIFTS: Curran, Montgomery, McMinn, Friars, Cahoon (PJ Lavery, 75), Costello, Grieve, R O’Neill , Hutchinson (C Lavery, 75), Harpur, Hazley
Subs not used: Brennan, Glackin, Gawley
GLENAVON: Coleman, Neill, Haughey (Shannon, 64), Kilmartin, Doherty, Bates, Farren, Lindsay, Brown, Hagan (Henderson, 46), McGrory (Mitchell, 70)
Subs not used: Turkington, McDaid
Referee: Colin Burns (Newtownabbey)
After a pitch inspection carried out at the Oval our fixture today v Glentoran is now OFF.
It was a painful afternoon in more ways than one for Darren Murphy as Dungannon Swifts’ Irish Cup dreams were shattered at the first hurdle.His two goals – one a back-post header and the other from a defensive error – were a classic example of a striker with an ability to take his chances.
By contrast Dungannon, for all their possession and hard work, lacked that potency in the final third.
An unhappy Murphy took out his frustration on a changing room table after the final whistle – and came off worse.
He emerged to speak to reporters sporting a suspected broken hand, but was more pained by his side’s wastefulness in front of goal.
Undoubtedly Dungannon have more important matters to concentrate on.
League survival is far from secured, and they have a hugely important match against one of their main rivals, Glenavon, tomorrow night.
But Murphy will still view this as a missed opportunity.
Last season Dungannon reached the Irish Cup semi-finals, the high point of an otherwise disappointing campaign, and another good run would have helped lift morale.
The sixth-round draw, which saw Portadown paired with Championship side Ards, only served to reinforce the disappointment.
Murphy had made three changes for the tie, and as expected Jonny Curran was selected as goalkeeper following Niall Morgan’s departure.
But his first task was to pick the ball out of the net after Twigg’s early strike.
Just 12 minutes had elapsed when a throw was headed on by Brian Gartland towards the back post, where the striker was free to head home.
It was a desperately disappointing goal to concede, but Swifts’ response was encouraging.
With Ryan Harpur and Matt Hazley pulling the strings in midfield, they controlled the game and enjoyed lengthy spells of possession.
Yet their dominance was rarely turned into shots on goal. Indeed, it took 43 minutes for the visitors to force a meaningful chance.
Francis Brennan broke down the right wing and sent a low effort just wide of the back post. Perhaps a pass to Chris Lavery or James Costello, who were waiting in the box, may have been a better option.
Dungannon went close again early in the second period.
Costello caught Gartland in possession and crossed towards PJ Lavery. His strike was parried away with Hazley unable to convert the rebound.
Portadown introduced another of their January signings, Aaron Burns, and he brought some extra guile and threat to the home attack.
After breaking into the box, Burns saw one strike blocked by Emmet Friars before sending the loose ball just wide of the back post.
The Ports’ problems were mostly of their own making. Again a sloppy pass gifted the ball to PJ Lavery, and his snapshot drew a good save from David Miskelly.
The home side threatened again via a Kevin Braniff chipped effort and a Darren Murray header, before Twigg struck for the second time.
Again Murphy will be hugely disappointed at how it came about. Brennan’s back header fell short, and the striker raced on to the loose ball before rifling home.
However, Dungannon were back in the game within four minutes.
PJ Lavery threaded a fine pass through the Ports’ defence, and Josh Cahoon – a 71st minute substitute – timed his run perfectly to convert with a classy right-foot finish.
Suddenly Swifts sensed they might snatch a replay, and Costello saw an effort blocked at close range following another surging run from Brennan.
But as they pushed forward, Portadown hit them on the counter-attack.
Burn was twice denied by good blocks from Curran while Murray almost added a third with a low effort which came back off the far post.
PORTADOWN: Miskelly, Redman, Ramsey, Murray, Braniff, Mouncey (Burns, 52), O’Neill, Casement, Gartland, McCafferty, Twigg
Subs not used: Mackle, McArdle, Lecky, Patton
DGN SWIFTS: Curran, Brennan, Friars, Grieve, McMinn, PJ Lavery, C Lavery (Gawley, 63), Hazley (Cahoon, 71), Harpur, Hutchinson (R O’Neill, 90), Costello
Subs not used: Montgomery, Glackin
Referee: David Malcolm (Bangor)