by DSFC Media | Sep 17, 2012 | Uncategorized
The article below appeared in ‘The Stangmore Blue” on Saturday 8th August for our game v Glentoran at Stangmore Park, we thought some of our fans from further afield may like to catch up on how Liam is getting on. Unfortunately Liam didn’t observe a Swifts win on the day but it was great to have him back home.
The Swifts most recent teenage prospect to head across the water was Liam Donnelly when he joined up with Fulham FC in July. The Stangmore Blue caught up with Sixteen year old Liam during the week and he updated us on what life is like at Fulham. We would like to thank Liam for taking the time to tell us all about his experiences. He managed to get a weekend off to nip back home and take in a Swifts game today. Welcome back to Stangmore Park Liam!
A day in the life of Liam at Fulfam FC consists of….Well, early morning start, up at half 7 every morning! Have to be at the training ground changed and up in the canteen for breakfast before 8.30. After breakfast we have education from 8.45am to 9.30am, we don’t go to school, we do our education in the club, so that’s handy! Training starts at 10am and finishes around 12. After training we have lunch and then either into the gym or back out on the pitch for a double session at 2 o’clock to 3, although we have half days on Wednesday and Fridays! After 3 o’clock that’s us finished for the day, get showered, go home and you have the rest of the day to yourself!
I made my debut against Milwall in a Pre season friendly which we won comfortably 2-0. No sign of any captains armband yet, maybe next year when I’m a second year! Haha. We’ve been drawn in a tough league and I look forward to every game, but there’s a few big ones! We play Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool home and away in the league so they’ll be big games for us, games we can win too! And then there’s the FA Youth Cup which will be great and hopefully we do well in it as well as the league!
The step up from playing part time football to playing Full time…There’s quite a difference from playing part time football at Dungannon to playing full time football here at Fulham. When I was at Dungannon I had school during the day and then training in the evenings, but now football has replaced my school hours, and not having to go to school is a bonus! I’ve settled in well now and got used to the routine, I’m working hard and enjoying it all!
London is slightly different from living out in the country in NI, putting football to the side… Do you prefer London life or Dungannon/Rock Life??
Yeah just slightly different… Now that I’ve got used to it I cant say I’m not enjoying city life! After trainings over for the day you’ve always got something to do instead of sitting in your house bored all evening! I go into the town a couple of days a week with a few of the lads, do a bit of shopping or just go in for a bit of eye candy! Haha! As much as I enjoy it, though, it’s always great to get home to see all my family and friends, there’s no place like home!
Best experience to date at Fulham…
It’s all been a good experience! But the standout one would maybe be getting on for my first appearance for the Reserves/Under 21’s development squad! Also, beating Wolves 7-1 in our first game of the season wasn’t bad either!
Tell us a bit about the Northern Ireland U17 setup you’re involved in…
There’s a change of manager from last year and a few changes in the squad too, we drew 0-0 with Denmark and then got beat 1-0 by Greece, we were very unlucky not to win both games! But seeing as that was our first time together as a new squad and with our new manager we done very well and have a lot to build on! Considering that Denmark and Greece are two of the highest ranked U17 teams in Europe, we made them both look like average teams, so we can be proud of our performances, but our manager is very driven and wants more than just a draw or an unlucky 1-0 win, which is good for the players! He knows and us players know that, on our day, we’re capable of competing with top teams and can do well in the upcoming Euros! I still love getting away with all the NI lads, the trips are always great crack and it’s good to get a break from club football the odd time.
You were playing along side the FULL Northern Ireland Internationals in a training exercise this week?! How did this come about?
Yes I was indeed! Well the NI assistant manager, Billy Mckinley, works as a first team coach at Fulham, and they needed two more players to make an 11 v 11 in training as 3 players pulled out of the squad through injury? It was a great experience for me to train alongside some of the top professionals such as Aaron Hughes, Jonny Evans, Steve Davis, Gareth McAuley, Chris Brunt, Chris Baird etc, had big Kyle Lafferty in my back pocket haha!
Do you miss much about Dungannon Swifts?
There’s a lot I miss about Dungannon Swifts! It’s a great club, one that will always hold a big place in my heart! I learned everything through the club and through Dungannon United Youth, so I thank the club for the opportunity that I have got to play at a Premier League club! I miss the banter with all the lads and the buzz about Stangmore when the big teams visit, and no doubt there will be a big buzz about the place today for the game vs Glentoran! I’ll be back at Stangmore today cheering the lads on, hopefully they go out and get a win like we did against the Glens here last season! I still keep in touch with a few of the lads, Rodney and Dixie.
Finally I'd like to wish Rodney, Darren and all of the lads the best of luck for today's game and I hope they get 3points in the bag! BAWA!
Liam
by DSFC Media | Sep 10, 2012 | Uncategorized
Mascot Rowan McAree leads the team out alongside Johnny Montgomery
Dungannon Swifts slumped to their second defeat in five days as Glentoran’s flying start to the new campaign continued at Stangmore Park.
A second half double from Andy Waterworth saw the East Belfast side claim an all too comfortable victory in the early September sunshine, advancing to second place in the table.
This was the biggest test of the season so far for an injury-stricken Dungannon, and one most supporters did not expect them to profit from.
But they certainly would have anticipated a more energetic and committed performance from a team aiming for a first home win this term.
They got neither, as Dungannon were outfought and outplayed by the Glens.
Adding to the frustration was a suspected hip injury to Emmet Friars in the first half, with the defender joining an ever-growing casualty list.
The one positive for Dungannon was a 22-minute cameo appearance from Jamie Glackin, the Tyrone midfielder who impressed so much in the Milk Cup.
He offered a confidence and desire which was sadly missing from too many other players.
Yet it looked so different at the halfway stage. Dungannon were level after Stephen O’Neill smashed an immediate reply to a Glentoran goal, adding to his collection of terrific strikes.
O’Neill took possession 22 yards out and, spotting the goalkeeper off his line, hit a stunning volley which crashed in off the crossbar.
It came less than a minute after Glentoran had gone in front.
JP Gallagher was harshly penalised for a push on Richard Clarke, resulting in a penalty. Jay Magee confidently sent the ‘keeper the wrong way from the spot.
The Glens arrived at Stangmore Park as one of only two unbeaten teams left in the league, and had started the game in positive fashion.
Waterworth was their main threat, firing into the side-netting early on before glancing a header wide following a probing Stephen Carson cross.
It took 27 minutes for Dungannon to draw Elliott Morris into action.
A long kick from Niall Morgan, one of six players recalled to the team, came off Clarke and fell kindly for Sean Friars, but his snapshot was well saved.
Magee then produced a great defensive block on Joshua Cahoon’s strike after an O’Neill effort had been saved, with the ‘keeper eventually punching Friars’ follow-up shot clear.
It seemed Glentoran had seized the initiative when Magee turned striker to convert the penalty, but O’Neill ensured the lead lasted barely 60 seconds.
The Glens threatened towards the end of the half and Waterworth sent an effort just wide following a pass from Sean Ward.
Dungannon had chances to edge ahead after the break, Friars testing the ‘keeper with a 30-yard free-kick while Stefan Lavery had an effort blocked from a Ryan O’Neill cross.
But they were dealt a hammer blow when Glentoran went back in front seven minutes after the restart.
Jim O’Hanlon was allowed time and space to cross the ball and, after Clarke’s header was blocked, Waterworth was left free to fire home.
An apparent foul by Elliott Morris on Lavery which went unpunished had home fans on their feet, but the initiative was swinging back Glentoran’s way.
Morgan produced a brilliant block to keep out O’Hanlon’s drive, and from the resulting corner Jimmy Callacher’s header was cleared off the line.
However, it was third time lucky for the Glens in the 66th minute. O’Hanlon’s neat flick found Waterworth, who clinically dispatched a low drive into the far corner.
Dungannon rarely looked like turning the game around, and were perhaps fortunate not to concede again.
A defensive slip-up gave O’Hanlon the ball but his lob went just over, while John McGuigan fired wide of the post after a neat turn and shot.
DGN SWIFTS: Morgan, R O’Neill, Montgomery, E Friars (S Lavery, 35), Gallagher (Glackin, 68), Fitzpatrick, Topley, Hazley, S Friars (McKerr, 60), S O’Neill, Cahoon
Subs not used: Brennan, Murphy
GLENTORAN: Morris, Clarke, Magee, Ward, Waterworth, Carson, Clarke, Hill, Callacher, O’Hanlon (Murray, 84), Birney (Howland, 13, McGuigan, 78)
Subs not used: Gibson, Bradley
Referee: Colin Burns (Newtownabbey)
MATCH PHOTOS CAN BE VIEWED IN OUR ONLINE GALLERY
by DSFC Media | Sep 5, 2012 | Uncategorized
It was a black night against the Whites as Dungannon Swifts’ unbeaten start to the new league campaign came to an end at Lisburn Distillery.
Two goals in three first-half minutes saw the Tyrone side crash to defeat at Ballyskeagh, where Tim McCann’s struggling side finally got their season up and running.
And a bad night was made worse after two Dungannon players were taken to hospital with injuries.
Summer signings Grant Hutchinson (concussion) and Cameron Grieve (ankle) were both stretchered off in the first half before being taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital for assessment.
The two were subsequently released. Grieve has ankle ligament damage – but no break – and both will be assessed at training on Thursday night.
Dungannon started slowly and quickly found themselves 2-0 down after strikes from David McCullough and then Gary Liggett.
It was not until the second half that they came into the game, with Sean Friars pulling a goal back.
That was the signal for a frantic finale from Swifts, with Friars then hitting the bar and Matt Hazley seeing an effort cleared off the line.
Head coach Darren Murphy admitted their poor start was costly.
“We didn’t perform for the first 50 minutes or so, and in the Premiership you can’t come and play for a half and expect to get something from the game,” he said.
“Distillery started well and put us under a lot of pressure, and they took their chances when they came.
“We had strong words at half-time, but you shouldn’t have to do that. The players should already have the right supplication, desire and hunger.
“In the end, yes, we put them under pressure and had chances, but over the 90 minutes Distillery probably deserved the three points.”
Dungannon were two goals down inside 18 minutes.
The first came via a superb cross from Jordan Forsythe which found McCullough, and he powered home a header from eight yards.
Hutchinson then missed a great chance to level, firing over from inside the box, before Distillery doubled their lead from the resulting kick-out.
The ball was played up field and into the path of Liggett, who held off the challenge of Adam McMinn before placing a left-foot effort past the goalkeeper.
Dungannon finally began to threaten towards the end of the half. Johnny Topley, on in place of the stricken Hutchinson, tested Lee Windrum with a downward header while Stephen O’Neill also drew a decent save from the Whites’ goalkeeper.
But Distillery had found a new confidence which carried into the second half, and Curran made another save to block Johnny Harkness’s free-kick.
They should have added to their lead through Scott Davidson, who somehow scuffed the ball wide when faced with an open goal, and then Liggett who was foiled superbly by Curran.
It seemed Distillery may pay for their profligacy when Dungannon pulled a goal back, Sean Friars’ low free-kick beating the wall and the goalkeeper a little too easily.
Dungannon pushed desperately for an equaliser but couldn’t find a way through.
LISBURN DISTILLERY: Windrum, Smyth, Harkness, Hunter, McVeigh, McCullough, McCann, Melly (Davidson, 20), Forsythe, Liggett, Halliday (Hughes, 57)
Subs not used: Brennan, Beggs, Ferguson
DGN SWIFTS: Curran, R O’Neill, McMinn, E Friars, Grieve (Cahoon, 45), Hutchinson (Topley, 33), Fitzpatrick, Hazley, Gawley (S Friars, 68), S O’Neill, McKerr
Subs not used: S Lavery, Cahoon
Referee: Mervyn Smyth (Belfast)
MATCH PHOTOS CAN BE VIEWED IN OUR ONLINE GALLERY.
by DSFC Media | Sep 4, 2012 | Uncategorized
by DSFC Media | Sep 3, 2012 | Uncategorized
It was another late, late show from Dungannon Swifts as their unbeaten start to the league season survived a major test against Portadown.
An injury-time goal from summer signing Joshua Cahoon salvaged a draw for the Tyrone side after a disappointing Mid-Ulster derby on Friday night.
The young defender started out his career as a striker, and showed his ability in the final third with a quality finish to shatter the Ports’ hopes of victory.
They had led through Darren Murray’s 81st minute strike, and may feel aggrieved not to have left Stangmore Park with all three points.
Those final dramatic minutes somewhat compensated for what was otherwise a poor affair.
This fixture has served up some classic games in recent seasons, but this was not one of them with little goalmouth action during a dire 90 minutes.
Portadown had the best of the few chances that were fashioned, albeit without causing Swifts’ goalkeeper Jonny Curran many problems.
Indeed, their goal owed more to poor defending and a lack of concentration than good play.
A set-piece from Kevin Braniff struck the Dungannon wall but no-one reacted as Braniff fed the ball back in, and Murray converted with a rasping strike.
However, just as against Cliftonville in their last home league match, the blow sparked Swifts into life, culminating in that dramatic equaliser.
A final, frantic surge forward ended with a long ball finding Cahoon in the box, and he took control before slotting home with a low effort.
Undoubtedly Swifts will be the happier team, albeit neither side really did enough to merit victory.
After shuffling their side – and then losing – against Coagh United on Monday, it was all change once more for Dungannon.
They made eight changes, including recalls for Grant Hutchinson, Michael McKerr and Stephen O’Neill.
And it was O’Neill who had their first chance. A slip by Keith O’Hara allowed him through on goal, but the striker lifted his effort over the crossbar. With a bit more composure – he had time and space – he could have done better.
Earlier, Portadown threatened when Chris Casement made a run from deep, but Braniff’s low strike was easily blocked by the goalkeeper.
Adam McMinn headed well wide from a corner for Swifts while at the other end a long-range Sean Mackle strike flashed over the crossbar.
The only other chance of note in a poor half came when Ross Redman fed the ball wide to Braniff, whose angled strike was blocked by the ‘keeper.
Portadown took charge in the second period and created several decent openings, albeit they often lacked an end product.
An example came when Joe McNeill eased through the home defence, only to plant his final shot well wide of the back post.
Then towards the end a corner from McNeill was directed back across goal but Brian Gartland, a few yards out, somehow headed over.
The one moment of danger for the Ports came when Redman appeared to handle a cross from McKerr in the box, however, nothing was given.
It seemed the game was destined to finish in a stalemate – until the late drama.
DGN SWIFTS: Curran, R O’Neill (Brennan, 53), McMinn, E Friars, Grieve (Cahoon, 68), Gawley (S Friars, 84), Fitzpatrick, Hutchinson, Hazley, S O’Neill, McKerr
Subs not used: S Lavery, Topley
PORTADOWN: Miskelly, Mackle, Redman, Breen, Murray, Braniff, McNeill, Casement (Lecky, 61), Gartland, O’Hara, McCafferty
Subs not used: McArdle, Burns, Adams, McLellan
Referee: Raymond Crangle (Belfast)
Full set of Match photos in the Gallery section of our website.
by DSFC Media | Sep 2, 2012 | Uncategorized
A day in the life of Liam at Fulfam FC consists of….Well, early morning start, up at half 7 every morning! Have to be at the training ground changed and up in the canteen for breakfast before 8.30. After breakfast we have education from 8.45am to 9.30am, we don’t go to school, we do our education in the club, so that’s handy! Training starts at 10am and finishes around 12. After training we have lunch and then either into the gym or back out on the pitch for a double session at 2 o’clock to 3, although we have half days on Wednesday and Fridays! After 3 o’clock that’s us finished for the day, get showered, go home and you have the rest of the day to yourself!
