Carling Premiership game off

by | Mar 10, 2012 | Uncategorized

Unfortunately Donegal Celtic v Dungannon Swifts has been called off today.

A pitch inspection was carried out at 10.15am and the pitch was deemed unplayable.

Our next game is at Stangmore Park this Monday night v Donegal Celtic in the quarter final replay of the Irish Cup.

Kick off 7.45pm.

Morgan & S.Lavery contract news.

by | Mar 9, 2012 | Uncategorized

         

The Swifts management team, of Murphy and McAree, have been working hard behind the scenes to ensure they hold on to two of our highly talented youngsters.

Teenage Striker Stefan Lavery and 20 year old ‘keeper Niall Morgan who have worked their way through the ranks from Dungannon United Youth have both agreed to remain at the club until at least the end of the 2013/14 season.

Stefan Lavery has agreed to sign a new 2 year contract and Niall Morgan has agreed a one year extension to his current contract. 

First team coach Rodney McAree said ” We are delighted with the news that both players will be at the club until at least the end of the 2013/14 season, they are both going to be a big asset to the club in the years ahead of us. Both Stefan and Niall are great prospects who are improving all the time, it’s an added bonus that they are both from Dungannon and products of D.U.Y..”

Niall Morgan has also received the Carling Northern Ireland Football Writers’ Association Player of the Month Award. Congratulations to him.

“I am delighted for Niall, and he deserves it because he put in some superb performances and kept clean sheets. He is young and in his first senior season but he is maturing all the time. But Niall would tell you himself that without the 10 other lads in front of him, he wouldn’t be getting this award.So it is nice recognition for the whole squad,” said Head coach Darren Murphy.

Congratulations to Niall from everyone at DSFC.

We wish both players continued success in their Swift Careers.

Donegal Celtic 1 Dungannon Swifts 1

by | Mar 5, 2012 | Uncategorized

A late, late goal from Conor Forker secured a replay against Donegal Celtic and kept alive Dungannon Swifts’ dreams of Irish Cup glory.

This quarter-final tie remains in the balance after the striker’s dramatic equaliser five minutes from the end of a pulsating clash in West Belfast.

Now the sides must meet again at Stangmore Park early next week, with a semi-final showdown against Crusaders awaiting the winners.

For 85 minutes it seemed Dungannon were facing an afternoon of frustration.

Outplayed in the first half, they fell behind to Ryan Henderson’s 47th minute strike, and almost conceded a second to Kieran O’Connor.

Although Swifts improved, a succession of spurned chances – including glaring misses by Michael Ward and Emmet Friars – threatened to prove costly.

But with 10 minutes to go, Forker was summoned from the bench and quickly justified the gamble, heading home from close range to secure a replay.

That will take place back in Dungannon next Monday night and, with the sides playing in the league this weekend, will be their third meeting in 10 days.

 A hamstring injury ruled out Swifts’ top scorer Sean Friars and his attacking threat was badly missed, particularly in a disappointing first half performance.

Celtic dominated the chances with goalkeeper Niall Morgan making two top class saves to keep the score level.

The first came in the 25th minute when DC were awarded a free-kick, and Morgan reacted sharply to turn Johnny Harkness’s curling effort wide.

He also produced a fine block to thwart Paul McVeigh, with the striker’s effort deflected on to the crossbar before being cleared by Ryan Harpur.

There were other chances for the home side, too.

Early on an effort from O’Connor was blocked with Stephen McAlorum blazing the loose ball wide, while just before the interval a free-kick from McVeigh was collected by Morgan.

Dungannon’s only chance fell to Terry Fitzpatrick following good approach play by Johnny Topley, but the midfielder sent his shot flying over.

And their afternoon got worse two minutes into the second half.

A superb free-kick from Harkness located Henderson and he powered home a header from close range, continuing his record of scoring in every round this season. 

Then came what would prove a turning point.

Celtic wasted a terrific chance to double their lead as O’Connor fired wide from close range, and that let-off finally spurred Dungannon into action.

They should have levelled just before the hour mark. Ward was played through on goal but, after running clear of the DC back line, he blazed over the crossbar. 

Minutes later JP Gallagher’s cross picked out Friars in the box but, under no pressure, the defender saw his header flash narrowly off target.

Dungannon were getting closer, and Michael McKerr’s dipping volley struck the crossbar before bouncing clear.

Ward and McKerr both saw shots blocked in quick succession as their frustration continued.

But then came a match-saving substitution as Forker was drafted from the bench in place of McKerr, and within five minutes he shattered DC’s resistance.

Marc Brolly was the architect, breaking down the left flank before crossing towards the back post, and Forker levelled with a simple header.

DONEGAL CELTIC: Robinson, McNamee, Harkness, O’Hara, Bradley, McAlorum, O’Connor, McAllister, Henderson, P McVeigh, D Murray

Subs not used: G McVeigh, Lambe, Burns, C Murray, Devine

DGN SWIFTS: Morgan, O’Neill, McMinn, E Friars, Gallagher, McKerr (C Forker, 80), Fitzpatrick, Harpur, Brolly, Ward, Topley

Subs not used: Murphy, Montgomery, McClean, Campbell

Referee: Brian Turkington (Belfast)