by DSFC Media | Aug 19, 2012 | Uncategorized
Stephen O’Neill gave Dungannon Swifts fans a glimpse of his potential with a sublime equaliser as Cliftonville were held at Stangmore Park.
The striker hit a late but much merited goal to mark his home debut in style as the Reds were forced to settle for a point.
And while it may only be the second match of a long campaign, it is doubtful whether Dungannon fans will see a better strike all season.
It arrived seven minutes from the end of a disappointing match, when O’Neill latched on to a poor clearance from the visitors’ defence.
He unleashed a dipping volley from 30-plus yards which sailed over the helpless goalkeeper and into the top corner, securing a credible draw against the North Belfast side.
Some 34 points separated these sides last term, but there was little between them on Saturday as both teams laboured in the August sunshine.
After a lacklustre first half bereft of goals, the deadlock was broken in the 58th minute when Adam McMinn turned Liam Boyce’s effort past his own goalkeeper.
But O’Neill’s spectacular equaliser was the culmination of a stirring finish from Dungannon.
It brought an end to a dismal losing sequence against the Reds, stretching back 10 matches, but more importantly offered hope for the months ahead.
Last season was a struggle for Swifts, with the lack of attacking potency a key problem. Indeed they were the lowest scorers in the whole division.
O’Neill was brought in to address that issue and, on this evidence, will be a key signing.
Dungannon made three changes from the side which drew at Ballinamallard with another summer signing, Francis Brennan, also handed a debut at right-back.
But the changes failed to spark Swifts in a lacklustre opening 45 minutes.
The main chance fell to Cliftonville just before the break. A free-kick from Martin Donnelly reached George McMullan but his close-range snapshot struck the crossbar.
It was a fortunate break, the type Dungannon have lacked in recent times.
Donnelly had gone close early on with a shot which flashed across goal, while McMullan saw a 25-yard lob land just wide of the home goal.
At the other end a Michael McKerr cross brushed the head of Matt Hazley before going wide while a Ryan Harpur strike crashed inches over the crossbar.
The early minutes of the second half saw Dungannon come into the game, but they were dealt a blow when Cliftonville broke the deadlock.
A poor free-kick from Hazley – straight into the wall – allowed the visitors to counter.
Boyce surged down the right flank, cutting inside before unleashing a left foot strike which took a crucial deflection off McMinn, sending it into the net.
It triggered activity on both benches. Cliftonville made a triple change while Sean Friars and Chris Lavery joined earlier substitute Grant Hutchinson in the Dungannon line-up.
And Lavery’s energy was a factor in a stirring response from the home side.
O’Neill headed wide after a cross from Cameron Grieve while Lavery set up Friars, but his close-range effort was straight at the Reds’ goalkeeper.
Between times Jonny Curran – again deputising for the suspended Niall Morgan – showed his potential with a superb block to keep out a powerful Boyce volley.
And it proved crucial, with O’Neill rescuing a deserved point with that stunning equaliser.
DGN SWIFTS: Curran, E Friars, Brennan, McMinn, Grieve, Hazley, Harpur (Hutchinson, 56), S Lavery (S Friars, 66), Topley (C Lavery, 66), McKerr, S O’Neill
Subs not used: Murphy, Fitzpatrick
CLIFTONVILLE: Devlin, McGovern, Cosgrove (Garrett, 59), B Holland, McMullan, Donnelly (Caldwell, 59), O’Carroll (Gormley, 59), Seydak, Smyth, Catney, Boyce
Subs not used: Lynch, Stuart
Referee: Raymond Hetherington (Dungannon)
Match photos can be found in our Gallery section of the website.
by DSFC Media | Aug 11, 2012 | Uncategorized
After having a first half lead by two goals The Swifts allowed Ballinamallard United to claw their way back to claim a point from their inaugural outing in the Danske Bank Premiership.
The Swifts took the lead after only the eight minute of the new league campaign. Former Swift ‘keeper Alvin Rouse attempted to catch a ball crossing into the box but unfortunately for him, the ball bounced around the home penalty area, eventually coming off the knee of defender Mark Stafford allowing Ryan Harpur in to direct it past Rouse.
It was 2-0 on 28 minutes after Johnny Topley connected with a Neal Gawley corner to turn home a well placed glancing header.
Ballinamallard almost reduced the gap two minutes after that only for Andy Crawford’s goalbound header to be cleared safely by the Swifts. They came closer still on the stroke of half-time when Jason McCartney went on a run only to see his resultant shot cannon back off the crossbar.
The Premiership new boys did score on 63 minutes when Andy Crawford pounced on a poor backpass to round ‘keeper Jonny Curran and guide the ball into the empty net.
Then, right at the end, Chris Curran secured a point for Whitey Anderson’s side when he managed to find the net straight from a corner, helped in with the leg of a Swifts defender.
Ballinamallard United: Rouse, McConkey, Keohane, Harper, Stafford, Kee, Curran, O’Grady, Campbell, Crawford, McCartney subs McGrath, Carters, Hutchinson, McKenna, Martin
Dungannon Swifts: Curran, Hutchinson, E. Friars, Grieve, McMinn, Harpur, Topley, Hazley, S. O’Neill, S. Friars, Gawley subs S. Lavery, C. Lavery, Fitzpatrick, Cahoon, McKerr
Match photos can be found in our Gallery section of the website.
by DSFC Media | Aug 9, 2012 | Uncategorized
Dungannon Swifts are delighted to announce the signing of the talented Tyrone Milk Cup Star Jamie Glackin.
Jamie is a very talented player, we are delighted that he has agreed to sign for us and we see a great future ahead of him. He has great ability and we are looking forward to him developing further with us.
Jamie who joins the Swifts from Institute, scored a wonder goal v Manchester United in this years Milk Cup opener at Darragh Park to help his team to a glorious victory over the Manchester outfit. Playing in his fourth NI Milk Cup for Co.Tyrone, Jamie was rewarded with the captains armband for the 2012 campaign.
Jamie played alongside former Swifts player Liam Donnelly, and Current Swifts player Eoin Teague in the Northern Ireland U17 Victory Shield team. We could see Jamie appear for the first team in the very near future if he keeps his head down and continues to develop as well as he currently is.
Welcome to Stangmore Park Jamie and all the best.
Pictured: Darren Murphy (DSFC Joint Head Coach), Jamie Glackin, Joe McAree (DSFC Chairman)
by DSFC Media | Aug 8, 2012 | Uncategorized
Darren Murphy and Rodney McAree have been appointed joint Head Coaches of the club. After the decision to jointly share the job was made we were lucky enough to hear from both of the players ahead of the new season starting on Saturday.
As joint head coaches of the club do you both hold specific roles or do you share the duties between yourselves?
Rod: We don’t have specific roles it’s more about sharing the work load between us. We both enjoy the coaching side and it’s the part we definitely don’t want to lose out on. It gives us a chance to deal with coaching and the media, two things which are both very important.
Murph has good contacts within the media so we can take advantage of this on occasions and hope to do so more in the future by building the profile of the club.
Do you ever fall out?
Rod: Yes, we would share a difference of opinions the odd time but we always seem to find common ground. We spend that long in each other’s company, as we work 6 days a week together in our Spin cycling business and at football, there is bound to be the odd disagreement every now and again!
Darren: I feel exactly how Rod has said above.
Do either of you aspire to be number one on your own?
Darren: No, we are very happy at the minute. The joint role of Head Coach at the Swifts benefits us both to share the work load as we both have our strengths and weaknesses which together make a good team. We already run a successful business together with no problems so hopefully we can do the same on the football pitch.
At least nine players have joined the first team squad since the end of last season; do you feel they are bonding well with the others?
Yes, atmosphere in the camp is good, with us making a few signings it now feels like our squad. All the signings we selected together and went to meet them all together also. We’ve managed to add flair and strength to the squad in specific areas.
What is the mood in the changing room ahead of the league kicking off on Saturday?
The mood is relatively optimistic, we feel as if we can do well and compete this season. We are very eager to get the season underway.
What about you two, are you nervous?
Rod: Anxious to get the season started, pre-season can be tough for players and staff both but it has to be done, all you want is for the season to commence.
Rod, having your dad as Chairman, does this have more positive or negative effects?
A little bit of both but more so positive. Having a football man as a chairman is great as he always wants what is best on the pitch.
Negative would have to be because we are both quite opinionated when having a conversation with each other.
How do you feel about the pressures of management considering you’re the 7th longest serving in the Irish League!?
Darren: I don’t feel under any pressure, it’s more about enjoyment than pressure. If I don’t put myself under pressure then I can enjoy myself more in my opinion. If you feel under pressure then you shouldn’t be doing it.
Rod: Even though it’s a part time job, it brings a lot of pressures with it and tends to turn into a full time job. However they must be good pressures because we wouldn’t be doing the job if it was too much for us.
Darren, as you are still playing do you find it difficult to switch between player/coach role?
No, it’s not difficult as there are two people doing the job. I can concentrate on the playing side of things safe in the knowledge that Rod is in charge on the side line. At the end of last season we put this into action as I played and Rod managed on the side line. It is part of the reason why we have decided to become joint managers.
Do either of you have any managerial role models?
Darren: I am quite fortunate to have played under some of the most successful managers in the Irish League. I have certainly taken a lot on board from them and it has developed me as a coach, hopefully someday I can be as successful as they are.
Rod: Not really. You will always take the best points of a lot of people who you have worked for and try to learn from those that you have learnt from. If you put all of those things together you should hopefully end up a good coach/manager.
What three things do you expect form your players?
Commitment, desire and honesty.
The club recently held an open/fun day for all the local community to get involved. What was your opinion on this?
Rod: It was a great success, really well done to those who made it happen. We have to try and offer the community something, we need to continue to organise things to draw the community to us. By getting schools, youth groups, disability groups, community groups etc. involved in half time entertainment or invited as specials guests it can only have a positive effect by hopefully boosting our support. We also need to start bringing the club to schools, send players, coaches in to coach the kids, players to visit the schools for sports days and so on.
How do you feel pre-season went for the team?
Darren: I am very happy with the commitment of the players, their attitudes have been top drawer, they have worked very hard throughout pre-season, the games have went well and the opponents have all been very good. The serious stuff now starts on Saturday.
Rod: It has been slightly different from last season as we have many new faces, I am more than happy with how it’s went and feel we are ready to start the new season.
What advice would you give to the new players to help them settle in at Stangmore Park?
Darren: Relax, enjoy yourselves. Dungannon is a family orientated club, you can enjoy yourself both on and off the pitch, you will be able to express yourself and be made very welcome at the club at all times.
Rod: Play with a smile on their face and enjoy their football.
There have been a few changes throughout the management side of the other teams, most recently bringing in ex Swifts Manager Harry Fay..
Darren: Trevor Douglas and Harry have been brought in to take over the reserve team and our U18 teams. We believed that we needed to start to attract better younger players to the club which can help us down the line when they develop into much stronger talented players, ready for first team action.
Rod: We felt as if we needed to do something in terms of restructuring the club and rebuilding it. The squad we have at the minute is capable of competing on our day with anyone in the league and we will relish the challenge!
by DSFC Media | Aug 5, 2012 | Uncategorized
Former boss Harry Fay is back at the Swifts as Under 18 Youth Team Manager. He is a Pro Licence coach having completed his badge while he was First Team Manager at the club, during which time he led the Swifts to their only ever appearance in the Irish Cup Final. ‘An excellent coach who is a great appointment for the club, Harry brings lots of experience and we are very fortunate to have his services, he will be a great help in the development of our younger players’ commented Rodney McAree.
by DSFC Media | Jul 26, 2012 | Uncategorized
THE Irish FA today announced Danske Bank as the new title sponsor of the Premiership.
The Danske Bank Premiership, as the league will now be named, kicks off on 11th August and marks a significant investment by the bank in local football.
Danske Bank is the parent company of local bank Northern Bank, which will rebrand as Danske Bank in November.
Irish FA Chief Executive Patrick Nelson is excited by the new sponsorship, saying: “We are absolutely delighted to announce this sponsorship. The Danske Bank Premiership is the flagship competition in domestic football in Northern Ireland and is followed by thousands of loyal supporters each week.
“Danske Bank is a great example of the calibre of partners that we are attracting and working with. This investment into the highest level of our local game will be a huge support in developing the league; and along with media exposure, will undoubtedly help to raise the Premiership’s profile and attendance at games around the country.”
Northern Bank Chief Executive Gerry Mallon said: “The Danske Bank Premiership is a really significant and exciting sponsorship for us and marks the first time our new brand identity will be visible in the market. This is another sign of Danske Bank’s commitment to the local market. Like ourselves, the Irish FA has a long heritage in Northern Ireland as an integral part of the local community so this Premiership sponsorship is a great fit for both organisations. We look forward to working in partnership with the Irish FA and to the start of the new season.”
The opening fixtures in the 2012/13 Danske Bank Premiership see champions Linfield travel to Ballymena United, whilst newcomers Ballinamallard United open with a home fixture against Dungannon Swifts. Cliftonville welcome Glenavon to Solitude, Coleraine face Crusaders, Glentoran play Donegal Celtic, and Portadown tackle Lisburn Distillery in what is sure to be an exciting open day in the Danske Bank Premiership.
ifapremiership.com
