by DSFC Media | Sep 12, 2011 | Uncategorized
A stunning strike from Dermot McCaffrey helped ease the pressure on Dungannon Swifts as they claimed a crucial victory in West Belfast.
The defender has earned a reputation for scoring spectacular goals and added another to his personal collection with a brilliant 25-yard effort against Donegal Celtic.
This was only Dungannon’s second win of the campaign, but was thoroughly deserved after an encouraging performance against this season’s surprise package.
The Hoops have claimed some impressive scalps, including wins over Glentoran and Crusaders, but were handicapped by the absence of several key players on Saturday.
McCaffrey’s 25th minute goal was the highlight of a first half which ended in ugly scenes after Celtic midfielder Niall Atkinson was sent off for a reckless tackle.
Although the home side upped their performance after half time, Michael Ward killed off the game in the closing minutes when he scored from the penalty spot.
That goal – his first of the campaign – is bound to lift the striker’s confidence, as will another clean sheet for young goalkeeper Niall Morgan.
The win takes Swifts six points clear of basement side Glenavon, who are the next visitors to Stangmore Park.
Dixie Robinson will be desperate to build on this victory – Swifts have found back-to-back wins hard to come by – to keep the pressure on their Mid-Ulster neighbours.
So far this season Dungannon’s best performances have come in the latter stages of games, but this time they impressed at the outset.
That was despite an early back injury to Johnny Topley which forced Robinson to reshape his midfield, with Michael Funston drafted off the bench.
And the substitute could have scored with his first touch. The DC goalkeeper dropped a cross from Craig McClean on Funston’s head, but he had little time to react and the ball fell safely before being hacked clear by the home defence.
Robert Robinson, fortunate that his error had not been punished, somewhat redeemed himself with a good save to block PJ Lavery’s low strike soon afterwards.
But there was nothing he could do about McCaffrey’s stunning opener.
Picking up the ball in midfield, the defender unleashed a 25-yard drive which had pace and accuracy, leaving the ‘keeper helpless as it arrowed into the top corner.
The home side had entered the match badly weakened by the loss of Ryan Henderson and Paul McVeigh, who were both out through suspension.
And their absence was sorely felt throughout the 90 minutes, with DC’s attack lacking the cohesion and potency which is normally brought by the pair.
The Hoops’ best chance of the half came from Atkinson, who also entered the match early after an injury to Johnny Harkness. Darren Murray redirected a throw-in towards his feet but, six yards out, the midfielder pulled his shot wide of the target.
His afternoon soon got worse, however. As the game entered stoppage time, Atkinson lunged two-footed at PJ Lavery, resulting in a straight red card.
But if Dungannon thought that would signal a comfortable afternoon, they were badly mistaken.
Donegal Celtic came storming back in the early minutes of the second half, forcing three good efforts on the visitors’ goal in as many minutes.
First Eamon McAllister tested Morgan, forcing the goalkeeper to divert his strike wide, before Jonathan Gowdy’s header was blocked on the line.
But their best chance fell to Murray, who broke clear only to see his stinging strike brilliantly beaten away by Morgan as he closed in on the target.
The introduction of Joe McCready provided Dungannon with fresh legs in attack, and he displayed flashes of skill in an encouraging 35-minute cameo.
He also had a chance to open his Swifts’ account but was just unable to get his head to a Ryan O’Neill delivery which swept across the six-yard box.
There were still reminders of the DC threat, however.
A corner found Darren McNamee but he headed wide at the back post, while Gowdy’s driven effort got past Morgan but rebounded off the upright.
Dungannon made sure of the points with a second goal late on. Mark Burns was penalised for handling inside the box, and Ward scored from the spot.
DONEGAL CELTIC: Robinson, Keegan, Harkness (Atkinson, 8), McNamee, Burns, Lambe (Glenholmes, 85), Bradley, Lynch (Fay, 66), Murray, McAllister, Gowdy
Subs not used: Harper, Muir
DGN SWIFTS: Morgan, O’Neill, Montgomery, McCaffrey, McClean, Fitzpatrick, Topley (Funston, 6), Murphy, S Lavery (Campbell, 71), Ward, PJ Lavery (McCready, 56)
Subs not used: McGerrigan, McMinn
Referee: Mervyn Smyth (Belfast)
by DSFC Media | Sep 5, 2011 | Uncategorized
A month into the new Irish League season and already it is proving as difficult as many feared and indeed expected for Dungannon Swifts. Another disturbingly ineffective attacking performance contributed to this defeat as Crusaders got their title challenge back on track at Stangmore Park. A Colin Coates penalty in the first half and a late second from David McMaster secured the points as Dungannon slumped to their fourth defeat so far. And while there are mitigating circumstances – they have had arguably the toughest start of all 12 teams – it matters little in the harsh world of top division football. This was a game which summed up Swifts’ fortunes. On one level the problems are simple. Dungannon are not creating enough chances, and against Crusaders their attacking play again lacked an incisive edge. But it also underlined longer term issues, with the return of striker Timmy Adamson and goalkeeper Sean O’Neill serving as a reminder of the quality which has been lost. Ultimately it was in those two areas where Saturday’s match was won and lost.
In a game of few chances, Crusaders had players who were capable of taking advantage, while O’Neill made several terrific saves to thwart Dungannon. As with other games, Dixie Robinson could point to an encouraging performance at times, but football is a business where the result is all that really matters. It is also about scoring goals, and currently that is something Dungannon are struggling to do. Perhaps Joe McCready, signed on transfer deadline day from Institute, will help given time. He was drafted straight into the starting line-up but was a peripheral figure for much of the match.
It was Crusaders who had the first chance after 23 minutes. Ciaran Gargan cut in from the left but his strike was deflected onto the crossbar by Craig McClean. O’Neill then denied his old side, producing an instinctive block to keep out Johnny Topley’s bullet header after a free-kick from namesake Montgomery. Adamson had recovered from injury after missing his side’s Monday night loss to Donegal Celtic, and led the Crues’ attack. The striker was watched closely by Swifts’ defence throughout the half, his one chance coming in the 37th minute from a Ryan McCann cross which he headed well over. The deadlock was broken five minutes before the break. Stephen McBride’s run into the box ended when he was taken down by Topley, and Coates powerfully converted the resulting penalty.
Both goalkeepers were called into action after the break. First Niall Morgan denied Paul Leeman, using his legs to block a low strike from the full-backafter he was picked out by McBride’s probing free-kick. Then, when Ryan O’Neill was fouled 25 yards from goal, the Crues ‘keeper prevented Dermot McCaffrey’s terrific effort dipping under the crossbar. Adamson had a sight of goal but, after meeting another searching McBride delivery, he directed the ball into the side-netting. Dungannon continued to probe for an opening, with Michael McKerr, Shea McGerrigan and Stefan Lavery all drafted off the bench as Robinson went for broke. It left them exposed at the back, however, and Crusaders nearly added a second on the counter-attack. After Stuart Dallas was brilliantly denied by the ‘keeper, the ball dropped for Chris Morrow but his low strike was cleared off the line by Darren Murphy. Then O’Neill produced a superb save to thwart Dungannon, thrusting out a hand to fingertip Topley’s header around the post. Crusaders wrapped up the points a minute from the end, Adamson squaring to McMaster whose crisp, right-foot strike gave Morgan little chance.
DGN SWIFTS: Morgan, O’Neill, McCaffrey, McClean (McGerrigan, 72), Montgomery, Fitzpatrick (S Lavery, 77), Murphy, Ward, Topley, Campbell (McKerr, 59), McCready
Subs not used: Funston, Donnelly
CRUSADERS: O’Neill, Coates, Leeman, McKeown, McBride, Dallas, Gargan (McMaster, 30), McCann (Morrow, 62), Watson, Adamson, Halliday (Rainey, 71)
Subs not used: Caddell, Owens Referee: David Malcolm (Belfast)
Dixie Robinson is pictured with Peter Hutton of Global Cinemas Dungannon who kindly sponsored the match. Thank you.
by DSFC Media | Aug 31, 2011 | Uncategorized
Dixie Robinson has made a deadline day signing in the form of striker Joe McCready from Institute F.C.
21 year old McCready who moved to Institute from Junior League Side Westbank, signs for the Swifts on a season long loan.
Speaking of his new signing Dixie said “I tried to sign Joe two years ago when he was playing for Institute under John Gregg, however it did not work out. He is one of the best prospects i’ve seen in Irish League Football in the past 2/3 seasons. I was disappointed not to get him then, so I am absolutely delighted to have him onboard now. We at the Swifts obviously have to go down the road of looking at prospective players rather than established Irish League players, Joe is certainly a very bright prospect for IL football.
When I got the opportunity to get him on a season long loan I was very pleased because I think playing in the Premier League will really suit him, I think he will do fantastically well and is something we don’t have at Stangmore Park. Joe will add to an already good squad of players that we do have and I think he will be something of a surprise package for the league. I have only managed to sign him due to the fact Institute signed Stephen Parkhouse today. This provided the opening for him to leave on loan. I would like to thank Paul Kee for offering Joe to me as the first option as he knew of my interest in him over the past couple of years.”
Joe will go straight into the first team squad for Saturday.
Welcome to the club Joe.
by DSFC Media | Aug 29, 2011 | Uncategorized
It was the late, late show at Stangmore Park as Dungannon Swifts finally got their season up and running against Carrick Rangers. Just as fans were contemplating another night of frustration, along came Conor Forker and then Shea Campbell to end Swifts’ profligacy and sweep away the gloom. The pair have scored many goals for Dungannon down the years, all the way back to when this fixture was contested in the second tier of Irish football. Yet few will have been as important as the ones which snatched victory in the dying stages of Friday night’s match. An early howler from Niall Morgan had gifted Carrick the lead, while his counterpart Chris Keenan pulled off a fine penalty save to preserve that advantage to the interval.
But Dungannon upped their performance in the second half and midfielder Johnny Topley, by day a postman, delivered the equaliser with a first-class strike. And then a match which had been a story of two goalkeepers became one of two substitutes. Forker had only been on the pitch five minutes when he put Dungannon in front for the first time, finishing off Campbell’s sweeping cross at the back post. Then in stoppage time Campbell himself drove forward and unleashed a shot which was diverted past the ‘keeper by defender Michael Deans. Defeat was cruel on Carrick who for long periods had seemed on course for a second successive away win, but Irish League football can be a very unforgiving place. These three points lifted Dungannon off the foot of the league and above Carrick. And while few will pay any attention to the table at this early stage, Dixie Robinson will be mightily relieved their brief sojourn at the bottom has ended. Yet for much of this match it seemed it would be another frustrating evening, with a blunder from Morgan literally handing Carrick the opening goal. The young goalkeeper allowed Johnny Montgomery’s defensive header to slip from his grasp, and Stephen O’Neill slotted into the empty net. Philip Donnelly, one of three players drafted into a changed line-up, occasionally created moments of promise, but wasted a great chance later in the half. Set up by Michael Ward’s enterprising approach play, the teenager miscued his shot when a clean strike would surely have posed problems for Keenan.. No matter. Dungannon continued to press and probe, and another venture forward from Donnelly handed them a lifeline in the 32nd minute. An innocuous challenge by David McAlinden resulted in a penalty. The decision was harsh at best, but justice was done when Dermot McCaffrey’s kick was parried away by Keenan. Carrick remained a threat and Paul Heatley had a chance to double their lead soon afterwards. Sent through on goal, he opted for a second touch when it wasn’t needed, allowing Morgan to intercept. Another of the recalled players, PJ Lavery, and Ward both had sight of goal towards the end of the half, albeit neither could take advantage. The same two tested Keenan in the early stages of the second period. Ward’s angled strike on the hour was easy for the ‘keeper, the thumping 25-yard strike from Lavery moments later less so, but still dealt with.. The pressure was building, however, and in the 71st minute it finally told. Ryan O’Neill played a free-kick across to Topley and his 30-yard effort flashed past Keenan, perhaps a little too easily given his earlier heroics.. It breathed new life into Dungannon’s challenge. Robinson, not content with a point, dispatched three attacking players from the bench. Stefan Lavery had an instant impact, supplying a cross for Ward to head wide. He also played a big hand in the goal which gave Dungannon an 88th minute lead. His pass released Campbell, who advanced forward before sliding the ball across to another substitute, Forker, who converted with a neat finish. The goal floored Carrick, and their night took another disappointing turn when Deans turned Campbell’s shot into his own net in stoppage time. DGN SWIFTS: Morgan, O’Neill, McCaffrey, McClean, Montgomery, Fitzpatrick, PJ Lavery, Ward (C Forker, 83), Topley, Donnelly (Campbell, 72), McGerrigan (S Lavery, 62) Subs not used: A Forker, Murphy CARRICK RANGERS: Keenan, Murray, Hogan, Hutchinson (Deans, 67), Lagan, McAlinden, Owens, Anderson (Smith, 80), O’Neill, McDowell, Heatley Subs not used: Valko, Harmon, McClean Referee: Mervyn Smyth (Belfast)
by DSFC Media | Aug 22, 2011 | Uncategorized
A new season, but unfortunately for Dungannon Swifts, the same old Linfield.
Nobody really needed reminding of the champions’ ability but they demonstrated it anyway with a comprehensive, four-goal victory at Stangmore Park.
Seasons come and go but some things never change, and the sight of the Blues in full stride, even at this early stage, is indeed an ominous one for the rest.
They were ahead inside 10 minutes through Robert Garrett’s sublime strike, and had the final say when Rory Patterson scored in the final minute.
And so the week ended with Linfield again top, already three points clear, while Dungannon are stuck at the opposite end of the table.
While few would bet against the Blues finishing the campaign at the summit, Dixie Robinson can be cautiously optimistic that Swifts’ fate is not sealed.
A fortnight into the season is not the time to pass judgement, and especially when it has included a tough double-header against Belfast’s Big Two.
Better teams than Dungannon will suffer at the hands of Linfield in the coming months.
The Blues’ quality across the pitch was apparent on Saturday, from the outstanding Chris Casement in defence to the abundance of talent they possess in the forward areas, so much so that Patterson was again restricted to a place on the bench.
In midfield Garrett more than compensated for the absent Jamie Mulgrew with a dominant display, and it was one of his driving runs which fashioned the first goal.
Breaking forward from midfield, Garrett collected a pass from Mark McAllister along the way before rifling the ball into the top corner from 12 yards.
Although Dungannon tried to respond and forced a series of corners, all were easily dealt with by the visitors’ back line.
Instead it was Linfield in control, and McAllister wasted a glorious chance to double their advantage later in the half. He was sent clear by Garrett but wanted too long on the ball, allowing Craig McClean to race back and clear the danger.
The resulting corner from Damian Curran picked out Philip Lowry, but his header struck the crossbar before rebounding to safety.
But Swifts’ luck did not hold, and Linfield did get a second in the 37th minute.
The ball was going out of play when McClean intervened to concede a needless corner. Curran’s delivery found Lowry whose effort was stopped on the line, Peter Thompson’s follow-up was blocked before McAllister fired home at the third attempt.
Half-time allowed Robinson to try and inject some fresh energy and belief into his players, and he pushed Michael Ward into a more advanced role.
However, any hopes of a comeback were ended by a third Linfield goal. McAllister set up David Armstrong, whose crisp, right-foot drive found the bottom corner.
Linfield could have further stretched their lead. Thompson headed wide from Garrett’s free-kick then Daryl Fordyce lifted an effort inches off target.
With an hour played, it seemed David Jeffrey thought the points were secure.
Thompson and Garrett were withdrawn, but any sense of relief for Dungannon ended when Patterson and then Michael Carvill took their places.
They did, however, pull a goal back. Shea McGerrigan supplied the corner and Johnny Topley escaped Casement’s attention to convert from six yards.
Philip Donnelly had brought energy and impetus to Swifts’ play since his introduction, and one goal-bound effort drew a decent save from Alan Blayney.
Linfield, though, had the final say, capping a fine performance in the final minute.
Carvill’s pass pierced the Dungannon back line and sent Patterson racing clear, and he calmly slipped the ball beyond Niall Morgan to seal another fine victory.
DGN SWIFTS: Morgan, O’Neill, McCaffrey, McClean, McMinn, Fitzpatrick, A Forker (Donnelly, 74), Ward, Topley, Murphy (McGerrigan, 62), Lavery (C Forker, 62)
Subs not used: Campbell, Montgomery
LINFIELD: Blayney, Armstrong, Curran, Lowry, Thompson (Patterson, 62), Fordyce (Burns, 82), Garrett (Carvill, 65), Ervin, Watson, McAllister, Casement
Subs not used: Douglas, McCaul
Referee: Stephen Weatherall (Belfast)
by DSFC Media | Aug 21, 2011 | Uncategorized
The club would like to Congratulate our Under 16 team in becoming All Ireland Champions yesterday when they beat Ashburn United in the Champions of Champions final.
The U16s, along with Manager Mark Jennings, travelled to Dublin to play Ashburn United in this All Ireland tie. Dungannon came out worthy winners beating the Ashburn team 4-1.
Goals were scored by R. McQuaid x2, Eoin Teague and Marc McConnell.
This is a fantastic achievement for such a talented side from Dungannon. Eight Members of the team featured in the Co Tyrone Premier Milk Cup team this year.
Captain Eoin Teague is pictured above receiving the Cup.
Well done boys from everyone at Dungannon Swifts.
