Congratulations to Darren Murphy who was awarded the Supporters Club Player of the Month for September.
James and Adam are pictured presenting him with his award.
Dungannon Swifts 0-5 Glentoran
A five-star Glentoran demolished Dungannon Swifts and sent them crashing to their heaviest defeat of the season on a miserable afternoon at Stangmore Park. The struggling Tyrone side were handed a harsh lesson in ruthless attacking play as the Glens breathed new life into their stuttering title challenge.
Two goals from Ciaran Martyn, another for Gary Hamilton and late strikes from Andrew Waterworth and Darren Boyce wrapped up a second successive five-goal victory. It lifts Glentoran to fourth in the table, and within eight points of leaders Linfield. But for Dungannon it is an altogether different story, after another sobering defeat which leaves them still perilously close to the bottom.
They were unfortunate to trail at the interval to Martyn’s header, but a second goal for Hamilton early in the second half shattered their morale. Already this season is rapidly shaping up to be the most difficult of Dixie Robinson’s tenure as manager, with Dungannon facing a grim fight for Premiership survival. This was a game Robinson would not have expected to profit from, but the final result will do little to improve morale among the players. And nor do things get any easier, with a daunting trip to Windsor Park next on the agenda.
There were positives to draw on, however, including a fearless performance from Stefan Lavery. The teenager was a real threat in a first half performance which Dungannon, despite trailing to Martyn’s 16th minute effort, would have been highly satisfied with. Martyn displayed a fleeting movement to escape his marker and a deft touch to turn home Hamilton’s corner for his fourth goal of the season. But it was not a one-sided story with Lavery spurning two glorious chances either side of the goal. The first came via a clever touch from Johnny Topley, but the striker dragged the ball wide of the target. His next chance was even more inviting. The Glens’ defence failed to cut out a searching pass from Dermot McCaffrey but Lavery’s strike was blocked by the ‘keeper’s legs. Later Topley drew another fine save from Elliott Morris. Taking a pass from Ryan Mullan, he turned and hit a rising effort which was parried away.
Glentoran also showed they were capable of adding to their lead. A cross from Stephen Carson reached Jim O’Hanlon, he looked to steer a shot into the far corner but saw his low effort come back off the upright. Dungannon again went close in the early stages of the second half, Johnny Montgomery heading a corner from Shea McGerrigan just wide. But then Hamilton doubled Glentoran’s lead with a goal which typified the quality and predatory skills which have terrorised defences for years. Carson advanced down the left side and delivered a cross to the back post, where Hamilton arrived just in time to volley into the top corner. It boosted Glentoran’s confidence, and they began pouring men forward in search of a third. Niall Morgan denied Hamilton with his legs, before McCaffrey came to Dungannon’s rescue by clearing David Howland’s strike off the line.
Sandwiched between those was an opportunity for Craig McClean, but his close-range shot was parried around the post by the Glens ‘keeper. Yet the game was now slipping quickly from Dungannon, and any hopes of a comeback were ended when Waterworth added the third. The ball broke kindly for Carson who carried it forward before picking out the substitute, and he netted with his first touch since entering the action. Carson was also the architect for their fourth goal, once more finding space down the left against a tiring Swifts defence before switching the ball for Boyce to convert. The fifth came in stoppage time, Boyce squaring for Martyn to knock home.
DGN SWIFTS: Morgan, Mullan, McMinn (Montgomery, 11), McCaffrey, McClean, McGerrigan (Campbell, 67), McCluskey, Fitzpatrick, Murphy (McCready, 67), S Lavery, Topley Subs not used: Funston, Baldwin
GLENTORAN: Morris, Nixon, Martyn, Ward, Howland (Clarke, 81), Carson, Hamilton, Gibson (Boyce, 83), Hill, Callacher, O’Hanlon (Waterworth, 65) Subs not used: Taylor, Hogg
Referee: Mervyn Smyth (Belfast)
Live on Sky!
Carling Premiership – Cliftonville -v- Dungannon Swifts
Our game away v Cliftonville which was scheduled for Saturday 7th January will now take place on Monday, 9 January 2012 and will be broadcast live on SKY. This game will kick-off at 7.45 pm.
Fixture Change
Carling Premiership – Match day 24 – Dungannon Swifts -v- Glentoran – 02.01.12
Dungannon Swifts and Glentoran have agreed that the above match will now be played at Stangmore Park, Dungannon, on Saturday 31st December 2011. Kick off: 3.00pm.
Dungannon Swifts 2 Donegal Celtic 2
They may not have seen too many wins, but Dungannon Swifts fans have certainly enjoyed their fair share of sensational goals this season.
The latest addition to an ever expanding collection came via the left boot of Johnny Topley, whose classy half-volley snatched a point against Donegal Celtic.
It was his first touch after coming on as a second half substitute, and a stunning way for the midfielder to mark his comeback from long-term injury.
And it proved crucial, rescuing a deserved point against the West Belfast side.
This result will have left boss Dixie Robinson with mixed feelings, and once again frustrated by his side’s failure to perform consistently for 90 minutes.
A poor first half saw the visitors lead through Declan O’Hara, but a dreadful goalkeeping blunder gifted Darren Murphy an equaliser soon after the restart.
Another Darren, Celtic’s Murray, put the visitors back in front and looked like slamming the brakes on Swifts’ vastly improved second half showing.
But then Topley came to the rescue with a goal every bit as memorable as the efforts from Dermot McCaffrey and Joe McCready which have lit up recent matches.
This was another of those clichéd game of two halves from Dungannon.
After a lacklustre opening 45 minutes, Swifts upped their game in the second period and looked the team more likely to win in the latter stages.
Taking just a point is disappointing. Dungannon had not won since the sides’ previous meeting last month – but Robinson had cause to be optimistic ahead of the rematch.
Donegal Celtic are one of just two teams that Swifts have beaten this season and do not have a good record at Stangmore Park, winning just once.
Yet they were on course to improve that record after O’Hara’s 30th minute opener.
It originated from a defensive mix-up. Adam McMinn’s failure to deal with a cross saw the ball reach Ryan Henderson, whose shot was deflected wide.
And the resulting corner from Kevin Keegan was met by O’Hara, with the defender outmuscled Ryan Mullan to head past the goalkeeper.
It was one of few chances in a low quality first half.
Dungannon were first to test the ‘keeper, with Michael Funston collecting a pass and driving forward before forcing Robert Robinson to make the block.
DC’s other effort came via Jonathan Harkness, whose long-range free-kick narrowly cleared the crossbar.
The game, like Dungannon, desperately needed inspiration – and moments after the restart it arrived in fortunate circumstances.
A horrible error from Robinson allowed Funston’s cross to slip from his grasp, and Murphy was waiting to knock the ball into an empty net.
Suddenly it was a different game – more open, passes finding their target, a greater energy and purpose from Swifts’ attacking players.
Yet DC threatened on the break and, after outwitting Mullan, Henderson’s angled strike drew a flying save from Niall Morgan.
The warning wasn’t heeded and another DC attack resulted in a second goal.
Eamon McAllister was allowed to drive up the right wing and he pulled the ball across for Murray, who got to the cross first and forced it over the line.
The goal drew an immediate response from Robinson. Shea Campbell and Ryan McCluskey were hauled off, with Shea McGerrigan and Topley coming on.
And the gamble paid instant dividends, with the latter drawing Dungannon level.
It followed more good approach play down the flanks, this time from Craig McClean. He crossed towards Topley who, after allowing the ball to bounce, scored with a stunning strike.
Dungannon had chances to snatch the points – Stefan Lavery just missed connecting with a ball across goal – but DC held on for a draw.
DGN SWIFTS: Morgan, Mullan, McMinn, McCaffrey, McClean, Funston (Lavery, 80), McCluskey (McGerrigan, 64), Fitzpatrick, Murphy, Campbell (Topley, 64), Ward
Subs not used: Montgomery , McCready
DONEGAL CELTIC: Robinson, Keegan, Harkness, Bradley, O’Hara, McAlorum (McNamee, 80), Henderson, Bradley, Murray, McAllister, McVeigh
Subs not used: Glenholmes, Fay, Muir, Lynch
Referee: Kevin Azzopardi (Malta)
Joe ‘Mac’ – New Swifts Chairman
The Swifts committee met on Tuesday 11th October and proposed that former 1st Team Manager and General Manager, Joe McAree, become the new Chairman of Dungannon Swifts F.C. Joe agreed to take up the role of Chairman, a position that has been vacant now for a number of weeks. Past Chairman Jarlath Faloon has also stepped in to fill the Vice Chairman’s seat.
Both Joe and Jarlath are big Swifts club men through and through. Joe in particular is no stranger to everyone in Irish League footballing circles having taken the first team from the old ‘B’ Division into the Irish Premier League.
Speaking to us about his appointment as Chairman, Joe McAree told us “When I was asked to be Chairman, I couldn’t possibly have said no, I couldn’t turn my back on many friends at the Club, and on a Club that I love so dearly. I will do my best and hopefully that will be good enough. I will need everyone to give me their backing and I mean, everybody, we will work together as a team both on and off the field for the good of Dungannon Swifts F.C.”.
Everyone at Dungannon Swifts is delighted to have Joe as our new chairman and Jarlath as Vice Chairman.