by DSFC Media | Oct 12, 2011 | Uncategorized
Chris Scannell was the man with the X Factor as his double helped Cliftonville to a comprehensive victory over struggling Dungannon Swifts.
But for Dixie Robinson it is more a case of the fear factor after the prospect of a first victory against the Reds was crushed in North Belfast.
Cliftonville are the only side that Dungannon have yet to beat since Robinson took charge in April 2009, and this result ensures that dismal run goes on – at least until Wednesday night when the teams meet again, this time in the League Cup.
But while the record books will show a not-so-magnificent seventh straight defeat in this fixture, the result does not tell the full story of the game.
The sides were level for 74 minutes after Michael Ward cancelled out Scannell’s early strike.
But then Scannell struck for the second time, stretching his league tally to seven goals when he capitalised on a slip-up in the Swifts’ back line.
Later efforts from Rory Donnelly and Joe Gormley added gloss to a Cliftonville victory which was nowhere near as emphatic as the score suggests.
Now the sides meet for a second time this week, when Robinson will hope to finally banish his winless run in this fixture.
Yet the cup is somewhat down the priority list, with the Dungannon boss surely more concerned about Swifts’ struggles in the league.
This result leaves them second bottom, while breathing fresh impetus into Cliftonville’s title hopes after a dismal run from Tommy Breslin’s men.
Just a month ago the Reds had been third in the table, but a disappointing tally of one point from four games had seen them slide to seventh.
And Dungannon could have added to their woes through Stefan Lavery, whose blistering strike forced a fingertip save from the goalkeeper inside the first minute.
A positive start by both teams then saw Cliftonville take a sixth minute lead.
Niall Morgan failed to clear a Stephen Garrett corner, and the ball dropped for Scannell who adjusted his feet before dispatching a left-foot strike into the net.
Yet that early setback failed to dampen Dungannon’s morale and Johnny Montgomery forced Ryan Brown into action again with a 30-yard free-kick.
Morgan then denied Scannell a second, using his feet to block an effort, before Ward drew Dungannon level in the 36th minute.
It followed more good work from Lavery, who delivered a perfect cross from the right wing, with Ward powering a diving header past the ‘keeper.
Terry Fitzpatrick’s effort rattled the crossbar and then Darren Murphy shot wide as Dungannon finished the half in positive fashion.
But similar to the previous weekend’s match at Ballymena, Swifts were unable to sustain that promising play into the second period.
Instead Cliftonville showed a greater sense of purpose with George McMullan and then Scannell forcing efforts on the visitors’ goal.
And Scannell gave them the lead for a second time with 16 minutes remaining.
He chased after a header from Barry Johnston and, when the defence failed to deal with the danger, was perfectly placed to tap home.
And as Dungannon pressed for a late equaliser, Cliftonville snatched a third on the break as Donnelly converted Johnston’s cross.
And in the final minute substitute Gormley made his mark on the game, his long-range strike flashing past Morgan to make it four.
CLIFTONVILLE: Brown, Johnston, Donaghy, McMullan, Scannell (Gormley, 89), Garrett (Steele, 69), Smyth, R Donnelly, Seydak, Catney, McVeigh
Subs not used: Holland, Convery, Stuart
DGN SWIFTS: Morgan, O’Neill, Montgomery, McCaffrey, McClean, Funston (C Forker, 81), Fitzpatrick, Murphy (McGerrigan, 52), Lavery, Ward, McCready (Campbell, 70)
Subs not used: A Forker, McAree
Referee: Mark Courtney (Dungannon)
by DSFC Media | Oct 6, 2011 | Uncategorized
As the Swifts prepare for a double-header of League and Cup action against Cliftonville, the North Belfast Club are offering supporters the opportunity to make savings at the turnstiles.
Anyone who attends this Saturday’s Carling Premiership fixture will be presented with a voucher which will entitle them to discounted admission for Wednesday’s Irn-Bru League Cup clash – at either end of the ground!
Be you a Member, Cliftonville Season Ticket or Family Ticket holder or a fan who pays cash at the gate on a weekly basis, you’ll be rewarded for your support thanks to special midweek rate of just £7 for Adults and £3 for Concessions so make sure you pick up your voucher at the turnstile this Saturday.
by DSFC Media | Oct 3, 2011 | Uncategorized
Another superb strike from Dermot McCaffrey rescued Dungannon Swifts and left Ballymena United still searching for their first home win.
The defender scored his second goal of the season with just 10 minutes remaining as Dungannon collected a deserved point at The Showgrounds.
And just like his strike at Donegal Celtic last month, it was something special.
McCaffrey has gained a reputation for scoring spectacular goals and this effort had added value because it rescued Dungannon in a game which seemed to be slipping away.
But for Ballymena the wait for a home win goes on. They have played six games this season on their own ground and failed to win any of them.
This was the perfect example of a game of two halves.
Dungannon dominated the first 45 minutes but did not manage the goal which their enterprising play deserved.
Michael Ward wasted their best chance by blasting wide from the penalty spot, while they also had a goal controversially ruled out for offside.
Ballymena improved significantly in the second half, sparked by Gary McCutcheon’s 48th minute goal which broke the deadlock and changed the flow of the match.
Swifts’ good play quickly faded – until McCaffrey’s dramatic late equaliser.
This result will have disappointed Dixie Robinson, who must have been targeting three points against Roy Walker’s inconsistent side.
Ballymena’s record in this fixture is pretty miserable with just one victory since February 2007.
And home fans must have feared that wretched sequence would continue after a first half dominated by Dungannon.
Playing in their fluorescent green away strip for the first time, Swifts’ slick, passing football and attacking play was equally eye-catching.
Early on Ryan O’Neill was brilliantly denied by goalkeeper Wayne Drummond, who reacted sharply to push the his powerful header wide.
It took Ballymena around 20 minutes to make an impact on the match, with Jordan Baker and Aaron Jenkins both going close when well placed.
Yet Dungannon continued to offer the greater threat and had the ball in the net after 30 minutes, albeit Stefan Lavery’s effort was controversially ruled out for offside.
Robinson, prowling angrily along the touchline, clearly disagreed with the decision.
But Swifts’ best chance came five minutes before the break.
Craig McClean won a penalty after being fouled in the box by Aaron Stewart. Unfortunately Ward could not capitalise, sending his spot-kick well wide.
It seemed only a matter of time before Dungannon’s good play was rewarded – but then Ballymena snatched the lead three minutes into the second half.
Conor Downey pumped a corner into the box and, after a series of deflections, the ball dropped perfectly for McCutcheon who turned it over the line.
Suddenly it was a different game with Ballymena seizing the attacking initiative, and one passage of play saw them denied three times in a matter of seconds by some desperate Dungannon defending.
It was all now depressingly familiar for Robinson, with the free-flowing football of the first half giving way to the same scrappy play of recent games.
Jenkins and McCutcheon both had decent chances but could not stretch their side’s lead.
Then, with 10 minutes remaining, McCaffrey drew them level with a stunning equaliser.
Dungannon won a free-kick on the edge of the box and the defender’s curling strike found the net before Drummond could get a touch on the ball.
Lavery missed a great chance to snatch the points after being set up by Ward, while Tony Kane’s late free-kick was kept out by Swifts ‘keeper Niall Morgan as the points were shared.
BALLYMENA UTD: Drummond, Kane, Gage, Stewart, McCutcheon, Jenkins, Teggart, Baker, Downey (Surgenor, 65), Costello (Boyd, 71), Rodgers (Watson, 46)
Subs not used: Vauls, Smith
DGN SWIFTS: Morgan, Murphy, McMinn, Fitzpatrick, McCluskey (Funston, 84), Ward, McCaffrey, McClean, S Lavery, O’Neill, McCready (Campbell, 65)
Subs not used: Montgomery, Forker, McAree
Referee: Raymond Crangle (Belfast)
by DSFC Media | Sep 27, 2011 | Uncategorized
TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to the constitution of the club it is proposed that at an extordinary general meeting is to be held at the Clubhouse at Stangmore Park, Dungannon on Wednesday 5th October 2011 at 8.00pm it is proposed to pass a resolution on the following terms:-
That Dungannon Swifts FC be reconstituted by its members into a limited company with a share capital and that all assets of the company be transferred accordingly.
All members are asked to attend to vote in relation to the matter. Please note that voting by proxy will be permitted.
by DSFC Media | Sep 27, 2011 | Uncategorized
Dungannon Swifts will host Coagh United in a friendly tonight (Tuesday 27th September 2011).
K.O. 7.45pm.
All Support welcome.
by DSFC Media | Sep 26, 2011 | Uncategorized
Dixie Robinson celebrates his birthday this week but the Dungannon Swifts manager can be forgiven if he isn’t in the mood for much merriment.
Robinson cut a frustrated figure as he left Stangmore Park on Saturday evening after this hugely disappointing performance and result against Lisburn Distillery.
The Whites put a black mark on the festivities by condemning a desperately poor Dungannon to their fifth loss in nine league matches this season.
Goals from Gary Liggett and substitute Jordan Hughes saw Swifts concede the points to a side who are likely to be one of their main relegation rivals.
As Robinson later admitted, Dungannon deserved little from this match.
Their first half performance ranks as one of the poorest seen this season, worse even than their opening 45 minutes against Glenavon the previous weekend.
In that match a late Swifts equaliser did much to mask an otherwise dire display.
But they cannot rely on that good fortune every week, and on Saturday there was no late salvation.
Dungannon’s play, particularly in the first half, lacked energy, focus and effort and was punished through Liggett’s 41st minute header.
There was some improvement in the second half, albeit little in terms of goalmouth action for all Swifts’ possession and pressure.
Michael Ward and Craig McClean both missed golden chances, but otherwise the opposition goal was rarely under threat.
Hughes, a 64th minute replacement, then wrapped up the win in stoppage time.
But it was the abject first half display which set the tone for a hugely disappointing afternoon, capped by Liggett’s goal four minutes from the break.
Mark Patton pumped a corner towards the back post, and the striker’s header was deemed to have crossed the line before McClean knocked the ball clear.
It was no more than the Whites deserved after dominating the chances.
Only a terrific Niall Morgan save denied them in the fourth minute. Pat McShane crossed towards Jordan Forsythe whose downward header was scooped away by the goalkeeper, while Liggett’s follow-up attempt smashed into the side-netting.
David Cushley twice went close, shooting wide from distance and then testing Morgan following a neat turn and shot on the edge of the box.
Joe McCready carried Swifts’ main threat and forced three decent efforts on the visitors’ goal in the closing 15 minutes of the half.
First he tested Billy Brennan with a free-kick from the edge of the box before sending a terrific individual effort narrowly wide of the left post.
However, his best chance came just before the break. A Michael Funston corner fell perfectly but McCready was denied by the ‘keeper’s legs.
He turned provider after half-time, dropping a cross onto the head of McClean, but unfortunately the defender’s effort was straight at Brennan.
Robinson sent on Stefan Lavery and Shea McGerrigan as he chased an equaliser, but it was a Distillery substitute who almost created a second for the visitors.
Hughes’ pass released Patton but, after timing his run perfectly to beat the offside trap, the midfielder placed his shot the wrong side of the back post.
Dungannon piled on the pressure in the closing 20 minutes, albeit rarely testing the ‘keeper.
They did have one terrific chance, however. A touch from Darren Murphy sent Ward through on goal, but his effort clipped the outside of the left upright.
It was a poor miss and it could have been swiftly punished. Moments later Distillery broke up field but Hughes’ strike was blocked by Morgan.
Yet the Whites would not be denied, and they wrapped up the points in stoppage time. McClean lost possession on the edge of the box and Hughes took full advantage, lobbing the ball over a stranded Morgan and into the far corner.
DGN SWIFTS: Morgan, O’Neill (McGerrigan, 59), McClean, Murphy, McMinn, Montgomery (S Lavery, 59), Ward, McCready, Funston, Fitzpatrick, McCaffrey (Campbell, 75)
Subs not used: Forker, Baldwin
LISBURN DISTILLERY: Brennan, Callaghan, McShane, McCullough, Patton (Traynor, 83), Liggett, Cooling, Ferguson, Cushley (Hughes, 64), Forsythe (Thompson, 72), Hall
Subs not used: Gardiner, O’Connor
Referee: Raymond Crangle (Belfast)
