by DSFC Media | Nov 29, 2011 | Uncategorized
It won’t win any goal of the season competition, but it could go a long, long way towards securing the far greater prize of Premiership survival.
When Dermot McCaffrey scores it is often spectacular and always memorable.
His dramatic equaliser in the closing seconds of this relegation scrap at Mourneview Park fits, if not into the former, then certainly the latter category.
From two yards out rather than his normal 20-plus range, it was enough to rescue what could yet prove a priceless point against the league’s basement club.
And it proved the end for Marty Quinn, who stepped down just hours after the chance of a rare win was snatched away in the closing stages by Dungannon – for the second time this season.
Just like the reverse game at Stangmore Park in September, the Lurgan Blues were on the verge of a victory which would have lifted them off the bottom.
But then McCaffrey struck to shatter their hopes.
The goalkeeper failed to claim a corner from Shea McGerrigan and Stefan Lavery flicked the ball on for the defender, who slotted home at the back post.
It leaves Glenavon still rooted to the foot of the league and now without a manager, following the resignation of Quinn on Saturday night.
No more excuses, he had insisted earlier in the week, describing this as “must-win”. Yet it was another of those could have, should have afternoons.
His side were less than two minutes from victory and, with a bit more composure and quality, would surely have added to Jay Magee’s first half opener.
Instead, it was another game which slipped away. And with it, Quinn’s tenure at Mourneview Park.
“Glenavon FC deserves to be in a better position than where it is at the moment,” he said afterwards.
For Dungannon, this was a timely confidence boost ahead of a difficult December.
Challenging games against Cliftonville, Coleraine and Crusaders await in the coming weeks, highlighting the importance Dixie Robinson had placed on this fixture.
His side did not deserve to lose, on the basis that neither of the teams merited all three points from a dismal match which was sorely lacking in quality.
Typically, it was a scrappy goal which broke the deadlock, coming via a free-kick.
Conor Hagan rolled the ball to Magee whose powerful shot took a heavy deflection off Ryan McCluskey, leaving the goalkeeper with little chance.
Otherwise it was a grim spectacle, predictably low on entertainment value.
There was controversy when Stefan Lavery was sent flying by Kyle Neill, but the offence went unpunished – one of several questionable decisions by the referee.
Dungannon, playing against a strong wind, also showed signs of nerves at the back.
A misplaced pass resulted in Diarmuid O’Carroll forcing a good block from Niall Morgan. Another giveaway allowed Niall Henderson to find Conor Hagan, but his shot went blazing over.
Dungannon’s main threat came at either end of the half.
Early on PJ Lavery forced the ‘keeper into action while in the closing minutes Johnny Topley’s corner flashed dangerously across goal and Michael Ward’s back-post effort was blocked.
Yet they continued to look vulnerable in defence and almost conceded again five minutes into the second half.
Another misplaced pass presented the ball to Mark Miskimmin in the box and he set up Henderson, whose thundering strike smashed off the underside of the crossbar.
Later Andy Graham weaved his way into the box but couldn’t get his shot away. The ball reached Henderson who miscued, with Ciaran Doherty finally forcing the ‘keeper into action.
Glenavon – with just two league wins and one clean sheet all season – predictably grew nervous and began backing off, with Dungannon enjoying more and more possession.
O’Carroll could have sealed the points on the counter-attack, but sent his effort inches wide after taking control of a long kick-out from David O’Hare.
But, just as it looked like they would hold on, Dungannon struck the equaliser – shattering Glenavon and signalling the end of the road for Quinn.
GLENAVON: O’Hare, Shannon, Neill, J Magee, Henderson (Harpur, 88), O’Carroll, Miskimmin (Kelbie, 86), Hagan, Doherty, Turkington, Graham (D Magee, 72)
Subs not used: Davidson, McGonnell
DGN SWIFTS: Morgan, McCluskey, Montgomery, McCaffrey, McClean (McCready, 77), Funston (McKerr, 69), Fitzpatrick, Topley, PJ Lavery (McGerrigan, 77), S Lavery, Ward
Subs not used: McMinn, Murphy
Referee: Raymond Hetherington (Dungannon)
by DSFC Media | Nov 15, 2011 | Uncategorized
The gaffer and his trusty side kicks, including players, supporters and friends of the Swifts, are holding a sponsored Spin cycle at Studio Cycle on Sunday 20th November 2011. A group of 20 dedicated supporters are on a mission to raise much needed funds for their beloved club by sitting, hovering, dipping and sprinting on a bike for up to 4 hours at a time. If you would like to sponsor the dedicated team, please leave your contact details by sending us an email via the contact section of the website and we’ll be in touch soon. Every penny helps. Many Thanks.
by DSFC Media | Nov 14, 2011 | Uncategorized
A double from Michael Ward secured a long overdue victory for Dungannon Swifts and ruined John Cunningham’s first day at the office.
The striker scored in either half – including a glorious volley with the outside of his right boot – to finally end a run of seven games without a win at Lisburn Distillery.
But it was a hugely disappointing afternoon for ex-Dungannon boss Cunningham, who was given an instant glimpse of the sizeable challenge which lies ahead.
The situation is all too familiar for the 46-year-old, who faced a similar battle against relegation during a short, unsuccessful spell at Stangmore Park.
But for Dungannon the luck might be turning after they held on for a first league victory in two months against a Distillery side who played most of the game with 10 men.
It followed a straight red card awarded to David Cushley for violent conduct after just 18 minutes.
Yet Dungannon struggled to take advantage of what was a highly controversial decision.
They broke the deadlock in stunning style in the 30th minute, but a defensive blunder allowed Gary Liggett through to equalise immediately.
Ward grabbed his second after 65 minutes, but the game was in doubt until the final whistle with Declan O’Connor almost snatching a stoppage-time equaliser.
The situation at the bottom remains tense with Dungannon now three points ahead of Distillery, who are just two ahead of basement side Glenavon.
While Cunningham will be concerned, he will have taken positives from his side’s battling display.
They were on the back foot from the moment Cushley was sent off. His elbow caught Ryan O’Neill, but replays suggested it was accidental.
No matter, the decision stood, and an already difficult situation soon got tougher for the Whites.
The most porous defence in the league was breached again as Ward stretched out a foot to meet a Johnny Topley cross, directing a perfectly executed volley past the goalkeeper.
His – and Dungannon’s – joy was short lived, however.
Less than 60 seconds later a slip-up by Ryan Mullan was punished by Liggett, who ran clear and placed a low strike beyond an exposed, helpless Niall Morgan.
It was no more than Distillery deserved, having more than matched Swifts in possession and chances – if not in numbers – during the first half.
David McCullough had already drawn a decent save from Morgan with a near-post header, while substitute Mark Patton placed a shot just wide after dancing through the visitors’ back line.
Then, just before the break, Liggett collected a penetrative midfield pass and unleashed a strike which forced another fine block from the ‘keeper.
The second half started with some reshuffling of the Swifts’ pack.
Shea McGerrigan and PJ Lavery were despatched, with Dixie Robinson hoping their pace and direct threat could exploit the gaps left by Cushley’s earlier dismissal.
Yet it was Distillery who nearly edged ahead. Patton’s delivery flashed dangerously across the box but Liggett, lurking with intent, just failed to get a touch on the ball.
Dermot McCaffrey, who had been finding his range from a series of free-kicks, tested Billy Brennan before Lavery’s forward advance ended in another near miss.
Dungannon’s pressure was starting to build, and soon it proved too much.
Brennan had thwarted Terry Fitzpatrick from a tight angle but was left helpless as Lavery’s return cross rebounded off the crossbar and dropped perfectly for Ward. The striker took a touch and the ball disappeared in a blur past the Distillery ‘keeper.
Suddenly Swifts were dominant and Ward twice could have sealed his hat-trick, sending one shot narrowly wide of the near post and forcing Brennan to make a flying save from the second.
Fitzpatrick had three terrific chances to seal the points. The best of those came via a cross from Ward, which the midfielder wastefully dragged off target from 15 yards.
Distillery could have snatched a point in stoppage time. O’Connor met a corner from Andy Hall but his back post header went inches over.
LISBURN DISTILLERY: Brennan, Callaghan, McShane (O’Connor, 74), Ferguson, Hunter, McCullough, Hall, Liggett, Larmour (Patton, 24), Cushley, Cooling (Thompson, 74)
Subs not used: Hughes, Simpson
DGN SWIFTS: Morgan, O’Neill, Mullan, McCaffrey, McClean, Fitzpatrick, McCluskey, Murphy (PJ Lavery, 46), Ward, Topley (Montgomery, 84), McCready (McGerrigan, 46)
Subs not used: Funston, McKerr
Referee: Raymond Crangle (Belfast)
by DSFC Media | Nov 14, 2011 | Uncategorized
Dungannon Swifts will be hosting an event in aid of Children in Need this Friday, NI vs ROI Comedians will be playing a football match and a comedy night in the club house will follow afterwards.
All proceeds raised will be going to this very worthwhile cause. Tickets cost £7. So show your spots for Pudsey on Friday at Stangmore park. Kicks off at 7pm.
Rodney McAree (Dungannon Swifts Coach), Darren Murphy (Dungannon Swifts Player) Jason O’Neill (NI Comedians Team), Pudsey Bear (Dungannon Mayor Kenneth Reid), Paddy McDonnell (NI Comedians Team), Cormac O’Donnell (NI Comedians Team) and Andrew Johnston (IFA) Pose for a photo to promote the NI Comedians v ROI Comedians Football game in aid of Children in Need Stangemore Park – Friday 18th November 7.00pm
by DSFC Media | Nov 12, 2011 | Uncategorized
Lisburn Distillery 1-2 Dungannon Swifts
(Michael Ward x2)
Team: Morgan, O’Neill, Mullan, McCaffrey, McClean, Fitzpatrick, McCluskey, Murphy, Ward, Topley, McCready.
Used Subs: Lavery PJ, McGerrigan and Montgomery.
Unused Subs: Funston & McKerr
