Donegal Celtic 1 Dungannon Swifts 1
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)
