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)
