by DSFC Media | Dec 26, 2011 | Uncategorized
Rodney McAree has been busy over the Christmas period and has made his first signing, Marc Brolly.
25 year old Brolly is a speedy left winger who joins the Swifts for 18 months after spending 5 seasons at League of Ireland side, Finn Harps. McAree is delighted to have him on board and is well aware of how much he can contribute to the current Swifts team. Marc, a Co Tyrone lad hailing from Strabane, doesn’t come as a new face to all of the Swifts squad as he previously has played along side Swifts midfielder Michael Funston and the re signed JP Gallagher, whilst at Finn Harps
Brolly has joined the team for training this morning ahead of our ‘Boxing Day’ game against Carrick Rangers tomorrow night at Seaview. He will not be able to feature for the Swifts until January which means his debut could be LIVE ON SKY v Cliftonville F.C.. (Monday 9th January 2012).
We would like to Welcome Marc to Stangmore Park and wish him all the best.
by DSFC Media | Dec 22, 2011 | Uncategorized
We would like wish Congratulations to Swifts striker Stefan Lavery (St Patrick’s Academy, Dungannon) who has been named at No 15 in the team selection for the 25th College football All Star awards this week. A great achievement for him and all at the Swifts would just like to say Well done wee Stefan !
Press Eye Belfast – Northern Ireland – 19th December 2011 – ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE 2011 / 12 BT ULSTER COLLEGES ALL STARS
Pictured are with Peter Morris, Consumer Director at BT and Seamus Meehan, Chairman Ulster Colleges is Stefan Lavery, St Patrick’s Academy, Dungannon
Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.
by DSFC Media | Dec 20, 2011 | Uncategorized
On the day a new era began at Dungannon Swifts, a face from the past returned to underline the huge task which confronts Rodney McAree.
Timmy Adamson reminded everyone of his class and quality with another goal as Crusaders pushed his former club deeper into the relegation mire.
The striker is one of a series of players to exit Stangmore Park in recent seasons, and this match illustrated once more how sorely he is missed.
For McAree it was a glimpse of the harsh realities of Irish League management.
He doesn’t need anyone to spell out Dungannon’s problems but they were all too evident in this match – low confidence, poor defending and little attacking threat.
They had several decent chances in a hugely encouraging first half, but lacked the cutting edge and sharpness to convert any of them.
Then, just five minutes after the restart, careless defensive play allowed Adamson to score.
The momentum swung in Crusaders’ favour with Swifts struggling to make an impact, and Stuart Dallas wrapped up the victory with a late second.
However, there were still positives for Dungannon’s new manager to take.
That includes an outstanding performance from 15-year-old Liam Donnelly who, on his first team debut, produced an assured, faultless display.
Yet while McAree is just days into his new job, he will realise that performances count for little and points are needed to drag the club away from danger.
Donnelly was one of four changes to the team which faced Coleraine, with McAree reshuffling a defence which had conceded seven goals in the two previous games.
And there were immediate signs of improvement on both matches, as Dungannon survived the first 60 seconds without conceding.
Indeed it could have been even better with the visitors dominating the early chances.
Michael Funston saw a 14th minute header go just wide after meeting a Craig McClean cross, while Johnny Topley also headed over from close range.
Their best chance, however, fell to Dermot McCaffrey. His header was on target but goalkeeper Sean O’Neill produced a top-class save to tip it wide.
Crusaders were forced into an early substitution when Michael Halliday suffered an injury.
David Rainey took his place, and had their first chance in the 33rd minute. David McMaster supplied the cross but the veteran striker’s header was off target.
After a slow start the Crues started to pile on the pressure towards the end of the half, and Rainey fired over after expertly controlling a cross from Dallas.
Niall Morgan made a decent save to thwart Adamson after a neat turn and shot, while McMaster’s deflected effort went wide with the ‘keeper struggling to get across.
Crusaders also had two unsuccessful penalty appeals. First they claimed a Colin Coates shot was handled by Topley while Rainey protested strongly after going down in the box.
In the closing stages of the half Funston, operating in a more advanced role, robbed Stephen McBride but saw his strike collected by the ‘keeper.
McAree would have been very happy with his side’s performance, but his mood changed within five minutes of the restart.
A deep cross from McBride reached Adamson and, after his initial effort wasn’t held by Morgan, he hooked the rebound past the ‘keeper to break the deadlock.
The Crues continued to threaten, albeit without testing Morgan.
Adamson twice went close, getting too much height on Gareth McKeown’s free-kick before heading McMaster’s cross inches over.
Chris Morrow also had a penalty appeal turned down after being floored by Adam McMinn’s challenge.
Dungannon had hardly threatened the home goal in the second half but had two decent chances as the clock ticked down.
First a long goal-kick was headed into the path of Funston, but O’Neill watched his 35-yard strike all the way and made a comfortable save.
Then Johnny Montgomery tried his luck from a similar distance, but his powerful free-kick was turned wide by the ‘keeper.
But as Swifts probed for an equaliser, Crusaders hit them on the break.
Rainey scampered forward, shrugging off the challenge of Funston. Morgan tried to block but the ball fell perfectly for Dallas to head home.
CRUSADERS: O’Neill, McKeown, McBride, Magowan, Coates, Morrow, Adamson, Dallas, McMaster (Snoddy, 77), Watson, Halliday (Rainey, 15)
Subs not used: Leeman, Cargan, McCann
DGN SWIFTS: Morgan, O’Neill (P Donnelly, 76), L Donnelly, Montgomery, McMinn, McClean, McCaffrey, Murphy (S Lavery, 66), Topley, Funston, Ward (McGerrigan, 76)
Subs not used: McKerr, C Forker
Referee: Tim Marshall (Irvinestown)
by DSFC Media | Dec 14, 2011 | Uncategorized
Dungannon Swifts will play Larne F.C. of the Belfast Telegraph Championship one, in the fifth round of the JJB Sports Irish Cup.
This fixture will be the first time the two teams have met since a two legged League Cup tie in 2009, which Dungannon won 8-4 on aggregate with a 3-1 win at Stangmore.
We Welcome the Inver Reds to Stangmore Park on Saturday 14th January 2012. K.O. 3.00pm.
The full draw is as follows:
Glenavon v Portadown
Linfield v Ballyclare Comrades
Crusaders v Warrenpoint Town
Coleraine v Larne Tech Old Boys / Rathfriland
Cliftonville v Ards
Lisburn Distillery v Ballymena Utd
Dungannon Swifts v Larne
Dundela v Ballinamallard
Bangor v Ballymoney Utd
Institute v Donegal Celtic
Newington YC v Glentoran
Coagh Utd v Loughgall
Banbridge Town v Sport and Leisure / Newry City
Killymoon Rangers v Carrick Reangers
Newbuildings v Dunmurry Rec
Derriaghy CC v Knockbreda / Dergview
