Match rescheduled: Dungannon Swifts v Glenavon
Our fixture v Glenavon which was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch on Saturday 22nd December has been rescheduled for Tuesday 15th January. Kick Off 7.45pm at Stangmore Park.
Match Postponed: Swifts v Glenavon – 22/12/12
After a pitch inspection by referee Raymond Hetherington the match has now been postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.
Linfield 2 Dungannon Swifts 1
Swifts goalscorer Stefan Lavery celebrates after pulling a goal back
It may be the festive season but referee Raymond Crangle can’t expect much goodwill from Dungannon Swifts fans this Christmas.
His controversial penalty call proved decisive as Linfield kept their faint title hopes alive with this narrow but hugely important victory at Windsor Park.
Despite another battling display, Dungannon were denied by an early Peter Thompson header and that Brian McCaul spot-kick.
The goals came at crucial times in the game – Thompson scoring after 105 seconds and McCaul doubling that lead four minutes after the restart.
Dungannon did pull one back through Stefan Lavery, while Alan Blayney produced a wonder save from his own defender, but the Blues held on.
Although far from a convincing Linfield performance, it keeps them in the title race – just about – heading into a crucial period of the season.
They sit 14 points behind Cliftonville, but that gap can easily change during a make-or-break spell which sees each team play six times in four weeks.
It is a particularly important period for Dungannon, who face two of their main relegation rivals – Glenavon and Lisburn Distillery – during that run of games.
Manager Darren Murphy can take confidence from parts of this performance, albeit Swifts rarely showed the ambition and authority to suggest they could beat Linfield.
They did not help themselves by conceding a sloppy goal within two minutes of the kick-off.
A foul on the impressive Mark McAllister handed Linfield a free-kick, and Thompson was left free to direct home Michael Carvill’s delivery.
Just why Thompson was not picked up in the box will be one issue examined by Murphy.
Suddenly what was already a difficult task seemed much tougher for Dungannon, but the Blues onslaught typical of previous years never materialised.
Indeed the first half was notable by the absence of chances and goalmouth pressure.
Dungannon’s first chance came when Josh Cahoon’s cross reached Neal Gawley, however, the ball was cleared before he could take advantage.
At the other end Niall Morgan was quickly off his line to stop Carvill converting Jim Ervin’s pass while a Michael Gault volley flashed narrowly over the bar.
Murphy would have wanted Dungannon to stamp their authority on the game after the break, but a second Blues goal dealt a major blow to their hopes.
A scrap between Billy Joe Burns and Fra Brennan continued into the box, with the referee harshly penalising the visitors’ defender. McCaul calmly converted the resulting penalty.
McCaul nearly added to the scoring when he connected with Carvill’s free-kick but headed the ball straight at the ‘keeper.
Dungannon continued to battle, however, with a 25-yard Matt Hazley strike flashing narrowly wide.
And they were right back in the game when Lavery halved the deficit in the 67th minute.
Winger Neal Gawley in action for the Swifts v Micahel Carvill
The teenager, a 54th minute replacement for Johnny Topley, edged ahead of William Murphy to convert a probing cross from Gawley.
It briefly stirred Linfield back to life. McAllister, whose hold-up play and tireless work was a feature of Linfield’s performance, set up Carvill but his low shot was easily stopped.
Then Morgan pulled off a superb block to deny McCaul after he took possession on the edge of the box, turned and landed a shot on target.
Those misses could have been punished by Dungannon but for a magnificent save from Alan Blayney.
Lavery cut down the right wing and his cross was directed towards his own goal by Ervin. However, the Linfield ‘keeper made a superb stop to claw his header clear of danger.
LINFIELD: Blayney, Armstrong, Gault (Garrett, 46), Murphy, Thompson, Carvill, Burns, Ervin, Mulgrew, McCaul, McAllister
Subs not used: Lowry, Fordyce, Watson, Clarke
DGN SWIFTS: Morgan, R O’Neill, Grieve, Hazley, Fitzpatrick, Topley (S Lavery, 54), Brennan, Friars, C Lavery, Cahoon (S O’Neill, 61), Gawley
Subs not used: Harpur, Hutchinson, Glackin
Referee: Raymond Crangle (Belfast)
Morgan to Quit Swifts
Swifts ‘keeper Morgan in possession for the Swifts
Photo Courtesy of presseye.com
Swifts goalkeeper Niall Morgan will leave Stangmore Park in mid-January to concentrate on fulfilling his dream on playing GAA for Tyrone. Morgan who was called up to Mickey Harte’s Tyrone squad in late November has admitted leaving the club is the hardest decision he has ever had to make.
Morgan is one of the best young prospects in local football and his departure from the club comes as a massive loss to us but one that Darren Murphy along with Pat McGibbon will work swiftly to recover from. Morgan will be available for the club throughout December and part of January before linking up with Tyrone.
After being named in Harte’s new look squad for the 2013 campaign, Murphy told Morgan that he needed to make the decision whether his long term future was with Dungannon Swifts or Tyrone GAA.
Morgan has now decided his future lies with Tyrone – but he admitted it has been an agonising choice…
“It was probably the most difficult decision of my life, everyone says you have to choose at some stage, and it is unfortunate it has come this way. It was hard to choose between playing football for the club I’ve been with since I was a kid or playing GAA for my County. I knew that if I gave up at this stage that I wouldn’t get another chance. I’ve now taken the chance, I’ll see how it goes but I’m still contracted to Dungannon so if I ever decide to come back to the Irish League there will only be one club that I’ll go to.”
A disappointed but understand Swifts Manager, Darren Murphy, had these words to say about losing Morgan;
“While football is my game, I am a sports person first and foremost, and I understand that Niall has dreams and ambitions. He is a young lad from Tyrone who wants to play for them at the highest possible level. I can fully appreciate that and he goes with my best wishes, and I sincerely mean that.”
Dungannon Swifts as a Club would like to Thank Niall for his committed service to the club throughout his entire football career to date. Niall started out as a fresh faced youngster in nets for Dungannon United Youth, he has come a long way to where he is today featuring for Northern Ireland at various under age levels and most recently was back up keeper for the Northern Ireland Under 21 squad this year.
As Niall will remain under contract for the club and will also carry on playing in a Swifts jersey until mid-January, we would like everyone to continue showing him and the rest of the team all the support and encouragement you can. Niall remains an instrumental and important member of our team over the holiday period with some difficult fixtures coming up for the Swifts.
Morgan saves a shot v Linfield in October 2012. Photo Courtesy of presseye.com
Dungannon Swifts 3 Donegal Celtic 0
Neal Gawley goes ‘head over heels’ to celebrate his opening goal
Forget that this was Dungannon Swifts’ biggest victory of the season. The mere fact it was a win – of any description – is of most significance.
The first three-point haul since mid-September was claimed with relative ease as Donegal Celtic were outclassed in this crucial basement battle at Stangmore Park.
Goals from Neal Gawley, Johnny Topley and Josh Cahoon secured a comprehensive victory against the struggling West Belfast club.
The final score adequately reflects a game which Dungannon dominated. With a bit more potency in front of goal, the margin could have been even more decisive.
Having not won for 10 games, the result took precedence over the performance on Saturday.
In the end, however, manager Darren Murphy got both. Dungannon outplayed the struggling Hoops from start to finish, stretching the gap between the sides to seven points.
They were ahead inside 19 minutes when Gawley netted his first goal since signing in the summer.
Chances came and went but Topley made sure of the points when he too opened his account for the season with a simple header.
And Cahoon completed the rout when he netted from the spot. It followed an incident which saw Mark Burns sent off, completing a miserable afternoon for the visitors.
With the league now at its halfway stage, Dungannon sit third bottom but a healthy gap separates them from DC and basement side Lisburn Distillery.
Although hard work still lies ahead, it is a relatively comfortable position going into 2013.
The opening goal was a move of some quality, following a scrappy start to the match.
Matt Hazley fed a terrific ball in behind the visitors’ defence to find Gawley, and he arrived just in time to drive a low, first-time effort into the far corner.
It could have been even better, with Dungannon spurning several chances to extend their lead.
The first came after a neat turn from Topley found Hazley on the edge of the box. His effort was on target but well stopped by the goalkeeper.
Their second, four minutes from the break, was even more inviting.
Hazley, arguably the game’s standout player, delivered a superb ball to Gawley. He crossed for Terry Fitzpatrick but the midfielder, four yards out, failed to make any contact.
By contrast Celtic rarely troubled the Swifts’ goal, Andy Dolan heading their best chance straight at Niall Morgan.
The second half started in a similar pattern with Dungannon dominating the chances.
A searching cross from Fitzpatrick located Gawley in space at the far post, but his header was mistimed and several inches too high.
The visitors’ best period came around the hour mark.
Emmet Friars celebrates with goal scorer Jonny Topley as sends the Swifts into a 2 nil lead at Stangmore Park
Morgan made a decent save to scoop away Dolan’s low effort, while free-kicks in dangerous positions from Conor Downey and Mark Miskimmin looked ominous but came to nothing.
It was an isolated spell, however, with Dungannon quickly seizing back the initiative, and Topley’s 74th minute header wrapped up the points.
Chris Lavery was the architect, sending his corner kick to the back post where Topley was free to head home from three yards.
And an impressive performance was capped with a third goal seven minutes from the end.
Burns fouled Cahoon as he ran through on goal, resulting in a red card and a penalty, with the striker recovering in time to convert the spot-kick.
DGN SWIFTS: Morgan, R O’Neill, Brennan, E Friars, Grieve, Gawley (Glackin, 84), T Fitzpatrick, Topley (Harpur, 89), C Lavery, Hazley (S Lavery, 73), Cahoon
Subs not used: Montgomery, S O’Neill
DONEGAL CELTIC: Connolly, McNamee (McCann, 46), McShane, Hughes, Burns, Downey, Devine (McIlkinney, 76), Dean (Keegan, 46), Miskimmin, Dolan, McAllister
Subs not used: Todd, Dwyer
Referee: Tim Marshall (Irvinestown)
Burns of DC takes down Josh Cahoon in the box.
Two Players Depart Stangmore Park
Sean Friars and JP Gallagher have both been released by the club. Swifts Manager Darren Murphy this week released a statement saying:
…”There were some departures this week from Stangmore Park when Sean Friars and JP Gallagher left. I would like to go on record and say what a pleasure it was to work with Sean, he came in last January and his contribution in keeping us in the league was invaluable. Sean was a great pro and easy to work with, we had a conversation last week regards his first team opportunities and at his age he just wanted to play every week, that was something I could not guarantee him. He did not want to sit on the bench, he just wanted to play, so we agreed the best thing for both parties was to release him. I wish him every success wherever he goes and he is always welcome back to Stangmore. ( Sean, when you do come back to watch a game, make sure you bring your wallet and buy me a beer!). Likewise I would also like to thank JP for his efforts while back at the club, unfortunately I never got the opportunity to work with him this time round due to family circumstances and in the end he needed to be closer to home. JP has been a fantastic servant to this Football club over the years and he too is welcome back any time.”
On being released from the club Sean has really enjoyed his time at, he felt the need to express his thanks to the club and a number of people so he himself has passed on this message of thanks below.
I met with Murph last week and after thinking long and hard about leaving Dungannon Swifts, I have made the very difficult decision to move on. This is purely for football reasons and for what we felt was best for both parties.
I would really like to pay particular thanks to Murph for being so understanding. I’m not getting any younger (even though I look younger than Emmet who’s six years younger than me!), and my football playing days will be coming to an end soon, so all I really want to do is play while I can. Murph understood exactly where I was coming from and we agreed, releasing me would be the best answer all round for both Dungannon Swifts and myself. Thanks Murph and Rod for bringing me to such a good club full of many good people. Anyone who doesn’t get the chance to play for the Swifts in their football career or anyone who turns down the opportunity to play for the Swifts – what a massive loss, Very big loss on their part in fact! Guy’s if you ever get the
opportunity grab it with both hands. Great club! Everyone in the club is so friendly which made it very easy for me to settle in as soon as I arrived. I don’t like to name individuals but a few people who are always around the club that have been more than good and helpful to both me and my family are Simon Graham, Sarah Winslow, Paula Gallagher and Keith Boyd. From those guys, to the grounds men, Mrs McAree and Sharon for keeping me well fed and watered, the supporters, stewards, everybody has been more than kind to me.
Pat McGibbon is a great addition to the management staff at the Club. He’ll do well. Thanks to him, Sailor, Pop, Bobby, Hutchy, Steven and all the rest of the backroom staff. Some of these guys who do various jobs, get no money for it. This is because they are there for the love of the club and the love of football. There are very few people in football now who would do that and this is why I think they are all a bunch of fantastic people with their hearts in exactly the right place. I have no doubts at all that the club will continue to drive forward with people like Joe Mac and Jarlath Faloon working so hard with the extensive amount of enthusiasm they are forever showing. Every club needs a Joe McAree and those kind of people.
Dungannon Swifts may be called a small club with a small fan base but all of the people supporting them are a credit to the club. Through thick and thin, from one end of the country to the other, they will always be there and show all the support to the team that is possible. I got to know quite a number of the supporters during my time at the Swifts but one supporter I have to mention is someone I won’t forget for a very long time – probably because he won’t let me forget him…”WEE JOSH” aka Roy, Dungannon Swifts Head Ball Boy! Wee Josh- named after Josh Cahoon, Why I hear you ask? Well that is obvious to anyone who is lucky enough to know the both of them! Roy rings me and texts me every day just to make sure I am ‘Ok’, Cheers for everything wee man! A few others I’d like to mention are wee Paddy, (without him and Roy at training we’d prob still be running round Dungannon Park or somewhere looking for the balls McMinn kicked ‘out of bounds’!), Colin the steward and his wife…What’s her name again?! Ha..yeah, well her, she’s been brilliant to me! I’d also like to thank the two people that sponsored my shirts this season, Paula who I already mentioned and Mark Williamson. Cheers guys.
I’ll end on a positive note by again thanking Murph for how understanding he has been. He has been one really good fella both on and off the pitch to me. I got on really well with Murph and we actually have become quite close throughout my time as a player. All the best this season buddy and to all the lads, you are one great bunch of players and I hope you will be successful. I’ll always be checking for the Swifts result first when the scores come up, hoping the boys get the right
results.
Thanks for everything Dungannon Swifts Football Club,I wish each and every one of you at the club every success while you are involved with management/ backroom staff/supporting the club. Good luck and thanks for everything.
Sean Friars
We as a Club would like to echo Darren’s sentiments and thank both players for their committed service to the club which has been fantastic throughout. We wish both Sean and JP well in the future and we will welcome them back to Stangmore Park anytime! All the best lads.
